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3D Printing · Chip Cooling · Energy Storage · Redox Batteries
IBM and ETH Zurich researchers collaborated to 3D print a redox flow battery, achieving 1.4 watts per square centimeter output while simultaneously cooling computer chips, marking the first such combined energy supply and cooling system.
This breakthrough scales down traditional large-scale liquid electrolyte redox flow batteries for application to computer chips. The team utilized two liquids as both electrolytes and cooling agents, capable of dissipating heat.
Doctoral student Julian Marschewski confirmed this is the first system to combine energy supply and cooling. The 3D printing technology creates a micro-channel system that minimizes pumping power, efficiently pressing liquid into the membrane layer to generate power.
The system produces 1.4 watts per square centimeter, leaving 1 watt over without pumping, and eliminates internal high temperatures. While current power generation needs improvement, IBM and ETH Zurich envision applications in laser technology, solar cells for direct energy storage, and larger flow batteries with enhanced cooling.
The research was published in the *Energy & Environmental Science* journal.
