Design and development of high-frequency thermoacoustic engines for thermal management in microelectronics

Thermoacoustic heat engines provide a practical solution to the problem of heat management in microcircuits where they can be used to pump heat or produce spot cooling of specific circuit elements. There are basically two types of thermoacoustic engines, a prime mover where heat is converted to acoustic energy, and a heat pump or cooler where sound can pump heat up a temperature gradient. Such devices are relatively simple, they can be efficient, and they are readily adaptable to microcircuit interfacing. Since this type of engines is usually operated in a resonant mode, the operating frequency determines its size. The devices presented here are pumped at frequencies ranging from 4 to 24 kHz. They have been developed for interfacing with microcircuits as heat pumps or spot coolers. Results of their performance are presented and suggestions for further improvements are discussed.