Education & Research | 16 Nov 2009 :
Senior researchers at the Stokes Institute in the University of Limerick have has signed a string of commercial agreements that will see an Irish-developed ‘micro cooler' technology - used for cooling purposes in computer devices - widely used across the computer and electronics industry worldwide.
Up to 50 million ‘micro coolers' will initially be required, and the University of Limerick will benefit from potential license revenues in excess of $1 million. Unique benefits of the micro cooler include improved performance, reduced energy consumption, lower noise, and reduced manufacturing costs.
US semiconductor giant, AMD, has been granted a development licence by the University of Limerick to customise the micro cooler technology for next generation AMD products, while Asia Vital Components, the world's largest supplier of coolers for central processing units (CPUs) and micro-chip modules (MCMs), have signed a world wide, non-exclusive, licence to make and sell the micro cooler.
The University has filed a number of patents on the new technology, which will result in smaller, quieter and more energy efficient products. It is intended that micros coolers will eventually see use in laptops and handheld electronic devices such as the graphics-hungry mobile phones.
Steve Huang, director of sales at AVC said, "We're very excited about this new technology. In terms of personal electronic devices of all kinds, the world is moving towards smaller sizes and greater power efficiency. The team at Stokes Institute have designed a cooling technology that can make a huge impact on the ability of manufacturers to deliver these attributes at reduced cost".
For the University of Limerick and Stokes Institute, the advent of the new technology and the creation of partnerships with AMD and Asia Vital Components represent a major endorsement of research in Ireland.