Fast, fast, fast, fast

2000/04/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Elektronika

Speed is a very appreciated feature in computers. Moreover, in today's society, fast working computers are fundamental.

The basic components of computers are chips, which work more effectively at low temperatures. Therefore, the computers have inside fans that cool these chips. However, the chips are getting smaller and stronger, so they generate more heat and need more robust cooling systems. Liquid helium and nitrogen are good coolants, but expensive and difficult to use.

A team of American researchers has synthesized thermoelectric material based on cesium, bismuth and tellurium elements, capable of reducing the temperature by 100 °C and which can be useful for chips.