Overview
- The peer-reviewed study, which was published Thursday, reports up to 32% better heat transfer and 68% lower pressure drop versus standard cold plates.
- The team used topology optimization to design jagged, spike-like fins and built pure copper features using Fabric8Labs’ electrochemical additive manufacturing, which prints metal by electrodeposition.
- A 2 cm by 2 cm prototype cooled gallium nitride chips in lab tests, and the lower pressure drop means pumps need less energy to move the liquid.
- Based on the lab data, the authors estimate that cooling for a 1 gigawatt data center could drop to about 11 megawatts, or roughly 1–1.1% of total power use.
- Researchers and independent experts call the approach promising, though real-server trials, cost analysis, and proof of high-volume manufacturing are still needed.