Motivation
There is a need to remove heat from compact spaces (on the order of inches on a side) in a variety of cooling applications. Some examples include power electronics, transformers, base stations in cellular communications, automotive electronics, portable and wearable electronics, electric vehicle batteries, power distribution systems in computers, military electronics and avionics, and food processing. In most cases, the use of sophisticated cooling techniques (externally simple, yet highly engineered internally) is a must in view of the space and performance constraints imposed. Even when compactness is not the primary concern, use of these techniques can lead to large gains in efficiency and performance improvements.
The CTRC has been established to address the needs of industry members in this general area of high-performance heat removal from compact spaces. Details of the scope and working of the CTRC were formulated based on input from industry participants attending the Exploratory Workshop on Research and Development Needs in Compact, High-Performance Cooling Technologies, held in Milwaukee on August 12, 1998, and later re-visited and refined at the NSF Center Planning Meeting October 28-30, 2001.
