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Article

Title: 'Mini-Storms' to Cool Hot Processors

Author: Paulson, Linda Dailey Article Type: Product Analysis
Source: IEEE Computer, v37 n6 p20(1) Publication Date: Jun 2004
  ISSN: 0018-9162
  Illustrations: Charts
URL of Publication: http://computer.org/computer

At Purdue University, scientists have developed a small ion-driven airflow system that lowers heat build-up by generating wind at the microscopic scale. The technology could be used to create a sort of min-electrical storm to cool hot computer chips. They say their system would be less costly and more effective than other cooling technologies. Processors continue to have more speed and functionality, and they output more heat, so chip makers are trying to develop heat-conservation technologies. Professor Suresh Garimella, director of Purdue's Cooling Technologies Research Center, and his team developed a system that puts 300-500 negatively charged electrodes made from carbon nanotubes 10 micrometers apart over the surface of the chip to be cooled. A small negative voltage is applied to the nanotubes, which emit electrons that ionize surrounding air molecules. The system applies voltage to other electrodes, to attract and repel the ionized air, which moves over the surface and creates an air motion. Researchers visualize devices that are tiny enough to fit on and cool a 10-millimeter by 10-millimeter chip. The system could be very useful in laptops, since laptops are too small for conventional PC cooling, which uses fans. The cooling technology might also be useful in other portable devices or in home entertainment products.

Special Features: Charts

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Carbon Nanotubes

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