Some Really Cool Speakers
Kirt's Cogitations™ #153

RF Cafe University "Factoids," "Kirt's Cogitations," and "Tech Topics Smorgasbord" are all manifestations of my ranting on various subjects relevant (usually) to the overall RF Cafe theme. All may be accessed on these pages:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37

< Previous Next >

Some Really Cool Speakers

Researchers at Georgia Tech have come up with a novel localized cooling device that promises to replace the ubiquitous CPU fan and other such applications. The SynJet uses vibrating diaphragms (essentially speakers), driven at 100 to 200 Hz, to force puffs of air out through openings in its cavities, and through cooling fins. Efficiency and effectiveness are improved by using less current, making less noise and lower vibration levels. The resulting puffs of air churn through the thermal boundary layer that forms normally when a steady airflow is applied. Innovative Fluidics has purchased a license for commercial exploitation, and plans to sell the devices in 2005.

RF Cafe began life in 1996 as "RF Tools" in an AOL screen name web space totaling 2 MB. Its primary purpose was to provide me with ready access to commonly needed formulas and reference material while performing my work as an RF system and circuit design engineer. The World Wide Web (Internet) was largely an unknown entity at the time and bandwidth was a scarce commodity. Dial-up modems blazed along at 14.4 kbps while tying up your telephone line, and a lady's voice announced "You've Got Mail" when a new message arrived...