Fabrication of cooling and heat transfer systems by electroforming

A process for the fabrication of a metallic component, such as those used in energy generation and heat transfer systems (e.g., reactor vessels, combustion chambers), in propulsion systems (e.g., rocket engines), and communications (e.g., optical telescopes). The process comprises: providing an object (e.g. a shaped mandrel) having surface; performing a first electroforming operation, thereby forming a first metallic layer comprising a metallic material (e.g. nickel, copper) on said surface; forming a first mask layer on the first metallic layer, the first mask layer comprising a non-conductive material (e.g. PMMA); patterning the first mask layer, thereby providing a plurality of first recesses in the first mask layer in which the non-conductive material above the first metallic layer is removed, said first recesses having a dimension of elongation; performing second electroforming operation using a metallic material whereby said first recesses are filled with said metallic material and ...