Enhancing Heat Transfer in Micro-Channel Heat Sinks through Geometrical Optimization

This study experimentally investigates the influence of micro-channel height and width on heat transfer and pressure drop within heat sinks, aiming to optimize their geometry for enhanced thermal performance and minimized pressure loss. Varying flow rates and heat fluxes were applied to different channel configurations to determine the heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number. Results show that narrower (0.3 mm vs. 0.4 mm) and taller (2.0 mm vs. 1.5 mm) channels improved heat transfer due to increased surface area, but also increased pressure drop. Higher Reynolds numbers (400-1200) and heat flux (2.0-6.5 kW/m²) enhanced heat transfer, especially in narrower channels, while surface roughness further improved thermal performance at the expense of higher flow resistance. Optimized geometries effectively reduced heat sink temperature. This research provides valuable insights for designing efficient micro-channel heat exchangers for high-power electronics by balancing thermal and hydraulic performance. Major Findings: Micro-channel heat sinks demonstrate a significant enhancement in heat transfer when the channel surfaces exhibit roughness. However, this improved heat transfer performance comes at the cost of increased pressure drop within the system. To effectively utilize micro-channel cooling systems, careful optimization of channel geometry is essential to strike a balance between maximizing heat transfer and minimizing the associated pressure drop.