Thu, Sep 13, 2007
Everything From Laptops To Spacecraft Could Benefit
NASA researchers have designed and
built a new circuit chip that can take the heat like never
before... a development that could benefit everything from laptop
computers, to jet engines, and deep space probes.
In the past, integrated circuit chips could not withstand more
than a few hours of high temperatures before degrading or failing.
This chip exceeded 1,700 hours of continuous operation at 500
degrees Celsius -- a breakthrough that represents a 100-fold
increase in what has previously been achieved.
The new silicon carbide differential amplifier integrated
circuit chip may provide benefits to anything requiring
long-lasting electronic circuits in very hot environments,
according to NASA.
Such highly durable integrated circuitry and packaging are being
developed to enable extremely functional, but physically small
circuitry for hot sections of jet engines. In the future, NASA says
such electronics will enhance sensing and control of the combustion
process that could lead to improved safety and fuel efficiency as
well as reduced emissions from jet engines.
Similar benefits are also possible for automotive engines.
Additional potential benefits of long-lasting high temperature
integrated circuitry extend to oil and natural gas well drilling
and anything requiring long lasting electronic circuits in very hot
environments, including robotic exploration on the hostile surface
environment of Venus.
"It's really a significant step toward mission-enabling harsh
environment electronics," said Phil Neudeck, an electronics
engineer and team lead for this work by the Aeronautics Research
Mission Directorate at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.
"This new capability can eliminate the additional plumbing, wires,
weight and other performance penalties required to liquid-cool
traditional sensors and electronics near the hot combustion
chamber, or the need to remotely locate them elsewhere where they
aren't as effective."
This successful project is a combined effort of the Aviation
Safety and Fundamental Aeronautics programs under NASA's
Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate.
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