Recent #Cooling news in the semiconductor industry
➀ Researchers at the University of Coimbra developed a novel soft actuator powered by boiling water, converting water into steam via an embedded heater to generate motion, offering simplicity and scalability without pumps or high voltage.
➁ The actuator operates at 24V, delivers over 50N of force, and achieves rapid pressure build-up (100 kPa/s), demonstrating durability through 1,000+ cycles and outperforming traditional designs in speed and reliability.
➂ Prototype robots, including a gripper and a climbing robot (Bixo), showcase real-world applicability for tasks like object manipulation and navigating unstructured environments, highlighting safe, low-cost, and pump-free solutions.
➀ Razer Iskur V2 offers highly adjustable lumbar support and 4D armrests for ergonomic customization;
➁ Eco-friendly synthetic leather provides durability but lacks ventilation, causing heat retention during extended use;
➂ Priced at $649, it balances premium build quality with minor flaws in seat depth and headrest stability.
➀ The article reviews the top 7 aftermarket build plates for 3D printers, emphasizing their adhesion performance and unique features;
➁ The Tyson Flex Plate System is highlighted as the best overall for universal filament compatibility and durability, while BIQU's CryoGrip series excels in cold temperature adhesion;
➂ Testing methods include real-world print challenges like flexible octopus models, ensuring plates withstand high-speed printing and deliver consistent results.
➀ The second international conference on elastocalorics, hosted by Saarland University professors Stefan Seelecke and Paul Motzki, aims to accelerate the development of this energy-efficient, eco-friendly heating/cooling technology using shape-memory alloys like nickel-titanium;
➁ Elastocalorics eliminates harmful refrigerants and fossil fuels, achieving 3-5x higher efficiency than current systems, with applications in industrial cooling, household appliances, and electric vehicle battery temperature management;
➂ The technology integrates AI for real-time monitoring of material behavior and has been recognized by the EU and World Economic Forum as a breakthrough climate solution.
➀ Thermalright's Peerless Assassin 120 SE ARGB CPU cooler drops to £17, offering unmatched value for budget PC builds;
➁ The dual-tower air cooler features six copper heat pipes, ARGB lighting, and compatibility with both Intel and AMD platforms;
➂ Praised for outperforming AIO liquid coolers in price-performance ratio, it received Tom's Hardware's Editor's Choice award.
➀ Montech Century II Gold 1050W offers ATX 3.1 compliance and 10-year warranty with excellent ripple suppression;
➁ Delivers 90%+ efficiency and hybrid fan mode, but limited connectors and unproven OEM raise minor concerns;
➂ Priced at $110, it balances performance and affordability for mainstream gaming/workstation builds.
➀ The Lian Li Lancool 217 PC case features dual-chamber design, five pre-installed fans (including two massive 170mm front fans), and wood trim for a premium aesthetic.
➀ It supports up to seven storage drives, offers flexible PSU mounting options, and includes an anti-sag GPU bracket for stability.
➂ Despite strong airflow performance, its front-panel ports are awkwardly placed at the bottom, which may inconvenience desk users.
➀ Cooler Master relaunches the Hyper 612 Apex CPU air cooler with a 30% smaller design and dual Mobius 120P fans (up to 2,400 RPM) for enhanced cooling;
➁ Features a stealthy, no-RGB design with a removable top cover for customization, and offset heat pipes for RAM compatibility;
➂ Priced at $64.99 (on sale), it supports Intel LGA 1156 to LGA 1851 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets, targeting minimalist PC builds.
➀ WeEn Semiconductors introduced two 2,000V rectifiers (90A and 60A) in TO247 packaging, designed for electric vehicle charging and industrial applications with low forward voltage drop and thermal resistance;
➁ The devices feature a maximum thermal resistance of 0.18°C/W and operate in temperatures from -55°C to +150°C, requiring heatsinking considerations due to cathode-tab connections;
➂ Targeted use cases include 1,500V bus systems, EV charging infrastructure, solar inverters, and energy storage systems, emphasizing durability against voltage spikes and stray inductance.
➀ MIT Lincoln Laboratory developed a specialized chip to test cooling solutions for 3D-stacked microelectronics, addressing overheating challenges in high-power density systems.
➁ The chip generates heat (up to kilowatts/cm²) to mimic real chip behavior and measures temperature changes through embedded "tiny thermometers," enabling precise cooling efficiency evaluation.
➂ It replicates both distributed heat and localized hot spots in 3D stacks, helping researchers optimize thermal management for buried layers and validate methods like liquid microchannel cooling.
➀ A Chinese YouTuber transformed an Intel Core i9-14900KS CPU's heatspreader (IHS) into a functional water block using CNC machining, bypassing traditional cooling methods;
➁ Testing involved a bucket-based coolant reservoir and revealed lower idle/60W load temps but rapid overheating at reduced pump speeds due to design limitations;
➂ The mod reduces die-to-coolant distance by 4x but sacrifices surface area optimization, highlighting trade-offs between innovation and practicality.
➀ The Montech XR Wood case combines wood accents with a budget-friendly $79 price tag, undercutting many AIO coolers;
➀ Equipped with four pre-installed ARGB fans and support for up to 12 fans/360mm radiators, it delivers strong thermal performance;
➂ While the wood elements are limited to front strips, the case offers practical features like magnetic dust filters and dual storage configurations.
➀ The Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold offers a compact, efficient power solution for small systems, though it has high fan noise and thermal limitations under heavy loads.
➁ With 80 Plus Gold efficiency and ATX 3.0 compliance, it's a solid choice for high-performance builds.
➂ Despite some marketing inaccuracies and thermal issues, it remains a viable option for users seeking reliability and performance in a small form factor.
NTT has developed the world's first lightning triggering and guidance system using drones, aiming to protect cities and infrastructure from lightning damage. The system has successfully undergone trials and is expected to be installed in key locations to prevent damage. NTT's drones are equipped with lightning-resistant cages and have demonstrated the ability to intercept lightning safely.
➀ The Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro is reviewed for its performance with both Intel's Core i7-14700K and AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D CPUs.
➁ The cooler offers impressive performance and a reasonable price, with a thick radiator and advanced features.
➂ The review discusses the installation process, including the need for a custom contact frame for Intel users and the overall ease of installation.
➀ A prototype for an E-Bike terminal has been developed at the Hochschule Karlsruhe (HKA) as part of a project aiming for sustainable mobility;
➁ The terminal is constructed primarily from renewable resources (wood) and is designed to be replicable in other locations;
➂ The project includes a solar power system to charge the E-bikes and features social components such as a meeting point for students and staff.