Can Light Waves Offer an Innovative Solution for Cooling Electronics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around innovative methods for cooling electronic equipment, specifically exploring the potential role of light waves in heat removal. Participants consider various cooling techniques, including traditional methods and alternative approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether light waves could be used to cool surfaces by absorbing or reflecting heat, seeking lateral thoughts on the topic.
  • Another participant argues that light is not a viable solution for cooling, emphasizing the effectiveness of thermal mounting to heat sinks in military and aerospace applications for heat removal.
  • A reference to the Peltier Effect is provided, suggesting it as a potential cooling method.
  • One participant proposes that Peltier coolers could enhance battery efficiency in portable systems, while also mentioning heat pipes and circulating liquid coolants as alternatives to traditional heat sinks.
  • Another participant notes that overclockers often use fans and Peltier junctions in their computers, and mentions the use of liquid cooling methods in military supercomputers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of light waves for cooling, with some advocating for traditional methods and others exploring alternative cooling technologies. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the potential of light waves as a cooling solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various cooling methods without fully resolving the effectiveness or applicability of each approach. The discussion includes assumptions about the capabilities of light waves and the efficiency of existing cooling technologies.

DC Man
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There must be another way to remove heat from electronic equipment rather than passing cool air over the surface? What about light waves? Can they cool a surface? Can they absorb heat, reflect away heat? Any one have any lateral thoughts?
 
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Light won't help. I understand the military and aerospace industry sometimes have circuit boards thermally mounted to heat sinks though. This way they can conduct heat away from the circuit and remove the heat along the edges of the board using either forced air or coolant. One of the big advantages of doing it this way is that the circuit board can be completely sealed off from the environment to preclude moisture, dirt, etc...
 
I figure the Peltier coolers could also help augment the battery in a portable system, thus increasing the efficiency overall.
Heat pipes (more efficient than heat sinks) or circulating liquid coolant could also be considered. I believe that Russ provided a link to heat pipe info in a previous thread.
 
Hey, thanks Guys, I'll check out the links...
 
Most overclockers install lots of fans and peltier junctions into their computers.

Some of the US miltary's supercomputers are suspended in alcohol or gels I think (NO tubes). Also used are liquid nitrogen circulation, and plain distilled water circulation (in tubes).
 

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