TechnologyJune 16, 2026

microchannel

/ˈmaɪ.kroʊˌtʃæn.əl/

Definition

A microscopic passage embedded within a material, such as a silicon chip, designed to circulate liquid coolant for the purpose of heat removal.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'mikros' meaning small and the Old North French 'chanel' meaning a pipe or watercourse. The combination reflects the modern engineering practice of miniaturizing fluid-conveyance systems.

In the news

In this article, microchannels are used to circulate water directly inside semiconductor chips to combat the intense heat generated by high-performance AI processors. By creating these tiny internal pathways, researchers significantly improved cooling efficiency and reduced the energy needed to move the coolant.

KAIST breaks a major AI bottleneck with liquid cooling technology 10 times more efficient than the previous record

Read the full article ↗

EurekAlert!

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