S. Lei, R. Enright, R. Frizzell, D. Hernon
Bell Labs, Ireland
The information and communication technology industry needs new energy-efficient devices that can keep up with the explosive growth in data traffic of the last few years. Bell Labs, the research arm of Alcatel-Lucent, is taking the lead in an initiative to reduce the carbon footprint of high-speed communication devices and platforms by investing in new methods for cooling electronics and harvesting energy. The team at Bell Labs used COMSOL Multiphysics to simulate the optical, thermal, and electrical performance of laser systems with integrated microthermoelectric coolers; they used their results to optimize designs of photonic devices and take advantage of the thermoelectric effect. They also simulated the structural, magnetic, and electrical behavior of electromechanical systems to investigate the best design for converting mechanical vibrations into electricity, which will reduce the need for frequent battery replacements for wireless sensors. With their continued research into these topics and the power of simulation, many new technologies for improving energy efficiency are on the horizon.
Suggested Stories
How Reclosers Ensure a Steady Supply of Power: It’s All in the Magnet
When a tree branch touches overhead cables and causes a momentary short circuit, your lights may flicker. A device ...
MTC Develops Simulation App to Revolutionize Design for Additively Manufactured Parts
Tolerances and precision in the aerospace industry are astoundingly tight. Because of the high degree of regulation ...
Virtual Material Design in 3D Printing Makes Headway with Multiscale Modeling
The advantages of anisotropic properties in 3D printing materials have been difficult to exploit for product design, ...
The Thermal Management of Li-ion Battery Packs
At the Fiat Research Center in Italy, Michele Gosso and Antonio Fiumara are working on the development of providing ...
