GE's patented DCJ: breakthrough in cooling systems for electronics

Adapted from technology that GE researchers originally developed for commercial jet engines, GE has announced a major technology breakthrough, called DCJ (dual piezoelectric cooling jets), which adapts this technology for cooling electronics. DCJ will support the next generation of thinner, quieter, and more powerful tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices. GE's DCJ behave as a micro-fluidic bellows that provide high-velocity jets of air to cool electronic components. The turbulent air flow of the DCJ increases the heat transfer rate to more than ten times that of natural convection. "DCJ was developed as an innovative way to dramatically reduce the amount of pressure losses and loading characteristics in aircraft engines and power generation in gas and wind turbines," said Peter de Bock, lead Electronics Cooling Researcher at GE Global Research. "Over the past 18 months we have addressed many challenges adapting this technology in areas of acoustics, vibration, and power consumption such that the DCJ can now be considered … for ultra-thin consumer-electronics products." Compared to conventional cooling assemblies used in electronic devices today, GE's DCJ technology enables cooling devices only 4 mm tall, representing a more than 50% decrease in height. In addition, the DCJ is very stingy on power, consuming less than half the power of a comparable fan, and its simple construction will deliver higher reliability leading to millions of dollars in repair cost savings for OEMs. "With new tablet and netbook roadmaps moving to platforms measuring less than 6mm high, it is clear that consumers are demanding thinner and more powerful electronic devices." said Chris Giovanniello, VP Microelectronics & Thermal Business Development at GE Licensing. "GE's patented DCJ technology not only frees up precious space for system designers, but it consumes significantly less power, allowing as much as 30 minutes of extra battery life. Best of all, DCJ can be made so quiet that users won't even know it's running. Thermal management is becoming a big problem for many companies trying to miniaturize their electronics, and as a result we are getting strong demand to evaluate the DCJ technology in many markets, from consumer electronics, to automotive, to telecom, and industrial sectors." GE is currently providing DCJ demonstration kits for OEMS wishing to evaluate the DCJ technology for their next generation products. In addition, GE has licensed the DCJ technology to Fujikura LTD. GE Fujikura LTD