Liquid Metal CPU Heatsink Outperforms Water 4
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unassimilatible
unassimilatible writes "Bios Magazine is reporting that the world's first commercially available liquid metal based CPU cooler is about to ship. Danamics, a Danish company, claims that its LM-10 outperforms standard air-cooled heatsinks and most watercooled systems with a mere 1W power draw.
The liquid metal is a key component in Danamics cooling systems. Liquid metal has two major advantages when cooling high power density heat sources: Firstly it has superior thermo physical properties that decrease temperature — and temperature non-uniformity — on die and across chips. Secondly, the electrical properties of the liquid metal enables efficient, reliable and ultra compact electromagnetic pumping without the use of moving parts, shafts, seals, etc.
Awesome technology, if it actually works and is affordable. The submitter requests that the moderators terminate all T-1000 jokes."
Ecological Disaster In The Making? (Score:1)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
It doesn't have to be mercury. Gallium also melts at relatively low temperature (it's solid at room temp, but you can melt it in your hand) and they could have developed an alloy that's fluid at room temp while still being environmentally safe.
Also, this looks to be a sealed metal system, instead of sealed thin glass. I wouldn't expect it to break open anywhere near as easily as a fluorescent bulb.
Re: (Score:2)
It's mostly likely using Field's metal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field%27s_metal), Rose's metal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_metal), Galinstan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galinstan), or one of the other low-melting point low toxicity alloys, NOT mercury.
As for the CFLs, you're trading a small amount of CONTAINED mercury in the CFL vs. a large amount of mercury released into the atmosphere via power generation..
Re: (Score:1)
Field's Metal would be OK, if its heat transfer characteristics were suitable of course. Same thing applies to the Rose's Metal as well, but it also contains lead. The Wiki entry for Galinstan notes that it already has cooling applications with some caveats.
Still, all very fascinating. Thanks for the links.