Controlling the heat flow: Now it is possible

We discuss the problem of heat conduction in 1D nonlinear chains in relation to the dynamical properties of the system. We provide convincing numerical evidence for the validity of Fourier law of heat conduction in linear mixing systems. Therefore, deterministic diffusion and normal heat transport which are usually associated with full hyperbolicity, actually take place in systems without exponential instability. We then show that, acting on the parameter which controls the strength of the on site potential inside a segment of the chain, we induce a transition from conducting to insulating behavior in the whole system. The control of heat conduction by nonlinearity opens the possibility to propose new devices such as a thermal rectifier. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.