Recent #Cooling news in the semiconductor industry
➀ Dr. Jingyuan Xu from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) was awarded the 'For Women in Science' prize for her research on eco-friendly cooling technologies using the elastocaloric effect, eliminating climate-damaging refrigerants;
➁ Her work spans applications from micro-scale electronics cooling to large systems like air conditioners, addressing 20% of global electricity consumption from conventional cooling methods;
➂ The award, partnered by L’Oréal and UNESCO since 1998, highlights the critical role of women in science and technological innovation for a sustainable future.
➀ The article compares energy generation costs per MWh across various sources, highlighting gas ($30-$75/MWh for existing plants, up to $110 with construction), coal ($70-$170), and nuclear ($140-$220);
➁ Renewable sources like onshore wind ($40-$86) and utility-scale solar ($78) are more cost-effective, while offshore wind ($70-$157) and nuclear projects like Vogtle 3-4 ($169-$228) face higher costs;
➂ Single-cycle gas plants remain expensive but critical for peak demand due to quick activation capabilities.
➀ Q2 Data Centre Physical Infrastructure (DCPI) market revenue surged 18% YoY to $8.9 billion, marking the third consecutive quarter of high-teens growth;
➁ Hyperscalers and colocation providers drove demand, with Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) growing 156% YoY, becoming mainstream for AI clusters, while power distribution and UPS systems also saw significant growth;
➂ North America led regional growth, and vendors like Vertiv and cooling specialists like Munters benefited from the AI-driven infrastructure expansion.
➀ Cinon's CBM300S is a 300W fanless AC-DC power supply with peak 360W output in a compact 107×85×20mm package;
➁ It supports wide input voltage (90-264Vac/120-370Vdc), offers 7 adjustable output voltages (12-54V), and achieves up to 94% efficiency;
➂ Designed for harsh industrial environments (-40°C to +90°C), it features multiple protections and meets railway/EMC standards with 240,000h MTBF.
➀ The Corsair HX1500i (2025) delivers Platinum-level efficiency, ATX 3.1 compliance, and advanced iCUE monitoring, making it ideal for high-performance systems.
➁ Despite its premium $390 price and 200mm oversized chassis, the PSU excels in silent operation, thermal resilience, and robust component quality with Japanese capacitors.
➂ Compromises include a basic accessory bundle, though its dual 12V-2x6 connectors and 10-year warranty solidify its value for enthusiasts needing 1500W+ power delivery.
➀ The SAMA P1200 Platinum power supply exceeds 80 Plus Platinum efficiency standards, achieving 93.2% efficiency at 230V input, ideal for high-performance systems;
➁ Compact 150mm form factor with premium Japanese capacitors ensures reliability and thermal stability, backed by a 10-year warranty;
➂ Priced competitively at $190, it challenges established brands despite limited PCIe connectors for modern graphics cards.
➀ Professor Paul Motzki at Saarland University secured an ERC Starting Grant (€1.5 million) to advance elastocaloric cooling technology, combining shape memory alloys and dielectric elastomer actuators;
➁ The eco-friendly elastocaloric method uses nickel-titanium alloys for heating/cooling without harmful refrigerants, achieving 20°C temperature differentials, with potential for multi-stage systems;
➂ Motzki’s team also leads EU projects like the EIC Pathfinder (prototype air conditioning) and SmiLE (smart medical implants), leveraging AI for sensor-free actuator control and innovative cooling applications.
Paul Motzki Receives One of Europe's Most Prestigious Research Awards for Innovative Cooling Systems
➀ Prof. Paul Motzki was awarded the ERC Starting Grant to develop elastocaloric cooling systems using shape memory alloys and dielectric elastomer films, aiming for compact, eco-friendly solutions;
➁ The technology, with potential applications in residential and automotive cooling, achieves temperature differentials of 20°C and is part of EU-funded projects like EIC Pathfinder;
➂ Motzki’s team is integrating silicone film actuators and AI-driven controls to advance energy-efficient, sensor-free cooling and heating prototypes.
➀ Exploration of energy-efficient solid-state cooling technologies for thermal management;
➁ Highlighting a novel approach to STEM education aimed at making learning more engaging;
➂ Introduction of radiation-tolerant power devices designed for NewSpace and low Earth orbit satellite (LEOSat) applications.
➀ Montech HS01 Pro revolutionizes GPU cooling with bottom-mounted intake fans, achieving 8°C lower GPU temperatures than competitors;
➁ The dual exhaust fan design balances CPU airflow but may impact air cooler efficiency, requiring additional front fans for optimal performance;
➂ Features back-connect motherboard support, SFX/ATX PSU compatibility, and modular storage solutions for versatile builds.
➀ Liquid cooling is essential for next-generation superchips operating at 2,800 W and above in data centers and AI infrastructure;
➁ The article debunks common myths about liquid-cooling technology's complexity, efficiency, and scalability;
➂ It highlights the transformative role of liquid cooling in addressing thermal challenges for advanced computing systems.
➀ The Wolfbox MF100 Electric Air Duster is currently discounted to $69 at Amazon, close to its all-time low price.
➁ With 150,000 RPM and rechargeable USB-C battery, it offers a powerful, eco-friendly alternative to compressed air cans for PC cleaning.
➂ Though slightly pricier than its Prime Day deal, this portable tool remains a cost-effective choice for enthusiasts.
➀ Introduces xMEMS Labs' piezoMEMS technology for precise air/fluid manipulation;
➁ Explores applications spanning entertainment (e.g., audio devices) and advanced cooling systems;
➂ Showcases piezoelectric micro-actuators enabling efficient, compact solutions.
➀ Local authorities are urged to delay approving new data centers using current liquid-to-air (L2A) cooling, which consumes 1.8-5 million liters of water per MW annually, causing water shortages and contamination;
➁ By 2027, liquid-to-liquid (L2L) cooling could reduce water usage to 200,000 liters per MW or zero, but current adoption is hindered by cost and infrastructure challenges;
➂ The article advocates for a strategic pause to adopt future sustainable technologies, likening it to St. Augustine's call for delayed action.
➀ The Data Center Physical Infrastructure (DCPI) market is projected to grow at a 15% CAGR, reaching $63.1B by 2029, driven by AI-driven workloads and facility redesigns;
➁ Thermal Management, particularly Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC), is forecast to grow at a 19% CAGR, with DLC surging from $1.1B to $5.8B due to rising rack densities;
➂ Service Providers (cloud/colocation) will grow at 20% CAGR, outpacing enterprise growth, while North America leads regional expansion and power constraints are mitigated through hybrid energy solutions.
➀ A PC enthusiast built a DIY "RTX 5090 Countermeasures" system using industrial-grade current sensors and PLCs to prevent GPU power connector meltdowns by triggering automatic PSU shutdown;
➁ The improvised solution, involving Corsair PSUs and Mitsubishi components, highlights persistent safety concerns around NVIDIA's 16-pin connectors since RTX 4090 despite commercial alternatives like Thermal Grizzly's WireView;
➂ Community reactions remain divided between admiration for the engineering effort and frustration over NVIDIA's perceived inaction on the recurring design flaw.
➀ ASUS and Noctua collaborated on the RTX 5080 Noctua Edition, featuring triple NF-A12x25 G2 fans and an 11-heatpipe vapor chamber for ultra-quiet cooling.
➀ The GPU achieves 21.4 dB(A) noise levels at 360W load, outperforming standard models by 14.5 dB(A), with GPU/VRAM temperatures at 57°C/52°C.
➀ The card's massive 385mm design and £1,500 price (~50% above MSRP) prioritize acoustics over raw performance, marked by semi-passive cooling and dual BIOS modes.