MEPhI: Cooling system for microelectronics

Main Article: Cooling Systems

2023: Microcriogenic System Development

For the first time in many years, the MEPhI National Research Nuclear University has developed the first domestic cooling device necessary for thermal imaging systems (where cryogenic systems provide the superconductivity effect). This was announced on August 18, 2023 by representatives of MEPhI.

The microcriogenic system developed at NRNU MEPhI, depending on the modification, can have a weight of 280 or 700 grams, uses helium as a working medium and the Stirling cycle as a principle of operation (Stirling engine is a heat machine in which the working medium in the form of a gas or liquid moves in a closed volume).

The system is capable of lowering the temperature to 77 kelvin, that is, almost to minus 200 degrees Celsius. According to Sergey Yasev, head of the department for the development of promising projects at the Center for Radiophotonics and Microwave Technologies, NRNU MEPhI, in experiments, cooling reached minus 230 degrees Celsius.

As specified in MEPhI, until now Russia has purchased Chinese microcriogenic systems, in turn, which are copies of French and Israeli products. At the same time, China sells relatively large cryogenic systems in Russia (analogues of the "large" version of the MEPhI device). Chinese manufacturers on the Russian market do not offer analogues to the version of the micro-cryogenic system weighing 280 grams, developed at NRNU MEPhI.

The most important problem in establishing the production of such microcriogenic systems is that it requires a very high production culture and accurate mechanics, the tolerance for the production of parts for such a system is 1 micron. In Russia, there are almost no manufacturers capable of providing such accuracy. However, according to Sergei Yasev, if necessary, NRNU MEPhI is ready to ensure the creation of key nodes of this product within its walls.