A charge-air cooler includes a reticulated foam element configured to provide a plurality of nonlinear flow paths for a relatively high-temperature first fluid. The charge-air cooler also includes a cooling passage element disposed one of proximate to and in direct contact with the reticulated foam element and configured to accept a relatively low-temperature second fluid. The charge-air cooler additionally includes a header element having a first connection configured to accept inflow of the second fluid to the cooling passage element and a second connection configured to facilitate outflow of the second fluid from the cooling passage element. Furthermore, the charge-air cooler includes a casing configured to house the reticulated foam element, the cooling passage element, and the header element. An internal combustion engine employing such a charge-air cooler is also disclosed.