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Self-Transport of Condensed Liquid in Micro Cooling Device Using Distributed Meniscus Pumping
Hongyun So1, Albert P Pisano1,2
1†Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|May 27, 2015
Summary
This study presents a passive micro pump using tapered channels and microstructures for reliable liquid transport in micro cooling systems. This design ensures continuous coolant circulation, preventing dryout and enhancing device performance.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Thermal Management
- Mechanical Engineering
Background:
- Micro cooling devices require efficient liquid transport to prevent dryout and ensure continuous operation.
- Existing systems face challenges with liquid trapping in vapor channels during operation or chip-off modes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a reliable passive micro pump system for micro cooling applications.
- To enable continuous coolant circulation and prevent liquid accumulation in vapor channels.
Main Methods:
- Designing a microchannel with a tapered geometry and triple-spike microstructures.
- Utilizing capillary action and liquid pinning at the microstructures to direct fluid flow.
- Integrating the micro pump into a micro cooling device for testing.
Main Results:
- The passive micro pump reliably transported condensed liquid to the reservoir.
- The system prevented liquid from being trapped in the vapor channel, avoiding dryout limitations.
- Continuous coolant circulation was achieved during both chip-on and chip-off modes.
Conclusions:
- The passive micro pump system effectively addresses liquid management challenges in micro cooling.
- The combination of tapered channels and specific microstructures offers a robust solution for reliable fluid handling.
- This technology enhances the performance and longevity of micro cooling devices.
