Ionic wind increases cooling performance
Garg
Purveyor of Lincoln Nightmares Icrontian
Researchers at Purdue University's Cooling Technologies Research Center (CTRC) have demonstrated a new cooling technique that can increase air cooling efficiency by up to 250 percent. By using an "ionic wind engine," the researchers can draw air molecules all the way to the hot surface. Traditionally, air molecules succumb to the "no-slip" effect, where the air molecules closest the surface move more slowly. That reduces air flow right where you need it most: the hottest part of the computer chip or heat sink.
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Their technique uses an anode (positively-charged) wire a centimeter above the surface, and several cathodes (negatively-charged) on the surface. Electrons stream upwards from the cathodes to the anode, and create positively-charged ions out of the air molecules they strike along the way. Those positive ions are then pulled to the cathodes below, greatly reduced cooling dead space (see graphic).
Using only a conventional cooling fan, their experimental computer chip mock-up was cooled to 60°C. After installing the ionic wind engine with the cooling fan, the chip was cooled to 35°C. The researchers are now working on miniaturizing the design to fit into consumer electronics, where they envision smaller, more efficient cooling devices for laptops and even phones, which are becoming more powerful by the day. The researchers believe the technology should be ruggedized enough within a year or so, and could make it into commercial applications in three. I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to an application for my desktop, too. The work was funded by Intel, so you can bet that this isn't the last we'll hear about the technology.
If you've got the time, peruse the CTRC's website. A lot of their work is on advancing cooling techniques for computer chips, and they seem to have our best interests at heart. For instance, they are also working on a carbon nanotube thermal interface material that is roughly three times more efficient than what's available today. My Opteron yearns.
From Purdue University, via BBC.
For images, view on front page
Their technique uses an anode (positively-charged) wire a centimeter above the surface, and several cathodes (negatively-charged) on the surface. Electrons stream upwards from the cathodes to the anode, and create positively-charged ions out of the air molecules they strike along the way. Those positive ions are then pulled to the cathodes below, greatly reduced cooling dead space (see graphic).
Using only a conventional cooling fan, their experimental computer chip mock-up was cooled to 60°C. After installing the ionic wind engine with the cooling fan, the chip was cooled to 35°C. The researchers are now working on miniaturizing the design to fit into consumer electronics, where they envision smaller, more efficient cooling devices for laptops and even phones, which are becoming more powerful by the day. The researchers believe the technology should be ruggedized enough within a year or so, and could make it into commercial applications in three. I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to an application for my desktop, too. The work was funded by Intel, so you can bet that this isn't the last we'll hear about the technology.
If you've got the time, peruse the CTRC's website. A lot of their work is on advancing cooling techniques for computer chips, and they seem to have our best interests at heart. For instance, they are also working on a carbon nanotube thermal interface material that is roughly three times more efficient than what's available today. My Opteron yearns.
From Purdue University, via BBC.
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