All those tiny handheld devices we know and love are pretty great. The problem is that the smaller they get, the harder it is to keep all those components cool. Overheating of batteries is a serious concern that’s led to numerous accidents and malfunctions. Scientists have been working on a way to cool all these electronic components — and now they may have finally found one.
Researchers at Rutgers University have invented a way to keep electronics cool by using graphene. It’s combined with a boron nitride crystal substrate to create an effective cooling device. This new technology has twice the cooling power of previous models. Currently, tiny fans have been doing the work of keeping our electronic devices cool — but they haven’t been very successful. Others have tried cooling liquids, which can leak and cause serious complications.
Graphene has numerous advantages over the fan setup. The graphene is a layer of graphite a mere one atom thick. The graphene layer is made up of carbon atoms arranged in a specific honeycomb pattern. This intricate design diffuses heat quickly and effectively, and is up to 100 times stronger than steel. When placed on devices made of boron nitrate, it carries heat away from the devices. The end result? Your handheld electronics stay cool and run smoothly, without any of the dangers associated with overheating.
This graphene solution is a huge step forward in cooling our devices. The other materials used in attempting this technology have been nowhere near as successful. Then there is the cost to consider regarding mass production: graphene is far less expensive than the alternatives. The Rutgers researchers believe that the industry is moving forward when it comes to cooling technology, and that graphene is the future of our handheld devices. Keeping cool has never been so efficient or cost effective.
