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'Diamond blanket' transistor cooling method delivers incredible success in testing, drops temps by 70C — micrometer-scale diamond layer grown directly on transistors reduces heat by 90%

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Tom's Hardware

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A research team at Stanford University has developed a groundbreaking method for cooling transistors by growing a micrometer-scale diamond layer directly on them, reducing temperatures by up to 70°C in real-world tests and 90% in simulations. This innovation addresses the growing thermal challenges faced by increasingly powerful and densely packed semiconductors. The ability to grow diamonds on semiconductor devices at a lower temperature of 400°C marks a significant breakthrough, enhancing thermal conductivity and dissipation. The integration of diamond layers with GaN transistors shows promise for future commercial applications, with collaborations expected with industry giants like TSMC, Micron, and Samsung. This advancement in transistor cooling could potentially extend the lifespan of silicon computing and pave the way for future substrates as chip architectures continue to evolve.

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