Abstract. Theoretical works have predicted that the thermal conductance of a deformed 1D system will start to decrease
when the radius of curvature (Rc) is comparable to the phonon mean free path (l). However, due to limited mechanical
strengths and short phonon mean free paths of most materials, no experimental works are capable of testing this
fundamental limit of heat transfer so far. Here we utilize the superior mechanical strength and the high thermal
conductivity of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to investigate the heat transfer phenomena at previously
inaccessible experimental regime. Surprisingly, the thermal conductivity of SWCNTs remains intact under cyclic strains
and the ultimate condition of l/Rc > 10. Moreover, the robustness of heat transfer is found to be independent of defects,
dislocations, structural kinks, bent angles, or bent curvatures. Our results demonstrate that SWCNTs are exceptional 1D
thermal conductors with capabilities of going beyond the fundamental limit of heat transfer under extreme strain.
Keywords: Heat transfer, Thermal conductivity, Nanotube, Strain.
PACS: 66.70.Df, 65.80.-g, 61.48.De