The passive thermal management system is ultra-low-cost and highly scalable, researchers say
Researchers have found that adding salt to computer systems can prevent devices from overheating and boost performance by more than 32%.
A team at the City University of Hong Kong hope this passive technique, which can be used in electronics, batteries, solar cells, and buildings, relies on moisture desorption from hygroscopic salt solutions. These types of salt cause moisture to condense when the relative humidity is at or below 75% relative humidity.
The system the researchers built is designed around a porous membrane set in a structure that prevents the salt-water from making contact with any components. The water relies on evaporation and reabsorption to keep temperatures low in, say, CPUs.
