As chips shrink, Tokyo researchers rethink cooling
One of the most effective cooling methods today uses microchannels embedded in the chip to circulate water and remove heat. But this approach is limited by water’s sensible heat—the energy it can absorb before boiling. In comparison, the latent heat released during boiling is roughly seven times higher, offering far greater cooling potential.
While effective, this method is limited by water’s sensible heat—the energy it takes to raise the temperature without a phase change. By comparison, the latent heat absorbed during boiling or evaporation is about seven times higher, enabling much greater cooling potential.
According to the researchers, exploiting the latent heat of water enables two-phase cooling, leading to a significant improvement in heat dissipation efficiency.