Can nanotubes keep PCs cool?

[nellie2]

Intel is conducting research with nanotechnology provider Zyvex to see if carbon nanotubes can help dissipate the pent-up heat inside PCs.

The research revolves around incorporating carbon nanotubes into thermal grease, which makes up the thin layer of goo that sits between a microprocessor and a heat sink. Heat sinks are aluminum components that absorb heat through wings and tendrils.

Modern microprocessors generate inordinate amounts of heat, which can ultimately harm internal computer parts and interfere with signals. Although PC makers have managed to channel that heat away, the task is becoming more difficult as chips get faster and PCs get smaller.

Thermal grease "takes heat off the CPU and delivers it to the heat sink more efficiently," an Intel representative said Thursday.

Carbon nanotubes are a futuristic but logical choice for this task. The tubes conduct heat extremely well, are very small, and can be suspended in polymers or coatings. Experts have suggested that the first commercial uses of nanotubes will come in electrically or thermally conductive coatings.

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[andsome]

It's OK conducting the heat away more efficiently, but having done that you need to get rid of it. Unless they can stop processors making more heat still as they get faster, surely they will have to stop reducing the size of computers. You need bulky fins etc to disperse the heat having conducted it away. It has to go somewhere surely.

[moon]

Hey, nell, didn't we solve that problem in your 'Let's build a PC ' thread ? :)

[Intratech]

Latest project over at intel involves the use of fibre optics to replace the commonly used copper interconnections to transfer signal (data) between components on the motherboards and eventually to use it to replace the copper interconnections in the chips themselves. Loads of advantages if they do manage to pull it off including higher transfer rates for data, less power requirement and less heat being dissipated etc.