Pitch-based carbon foam heat sink with phase change material

A carbon foam heat sink can be produced by selecting an appropriate mold shape and introducing pitch into an appropriate level in the mold. Air is purged from the mold to form a vacuum. The pitch is heated to a temperature sufficient to coalesce the pitch into a liquid. The vacuum is then released and then backfill an inert fluid at a static pressure up to 1000 psi. The pitch is then heated to a temperature sufficient to cause gas to evolve and form a carbon foam. The carbon foam is heated to a temperature sufficient to coke the pitch. The carbon foam is cooled to room temperature simultaneously releasing the inert fluid. The carbon foam is then partial encased in an encasement material and then at least partially filling porous regions of the carbon foam with a phase change material. An open cellular essentially graphitic carbon foam has a conductivity of at least 58 W/m oK and contains porous regions at least partially filled with a phase change material. A temperature control apparatus can contain the encased carbon foam.