Development of microchannels and thermoelectrics for cooling in electronics

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Tornado Spectral Systems is an early-stage company that develops innovative, proprietary devices that provide end users with improved tools to detect and characterize spectral phenomena (studying interactions between matter and radiated energy) in biological, clinical, industrial, and other applications. The company is currently developing devices used in Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a method used to image various samples by detecting signals from scattered waves of light. In order to be a leader in the marketplace, higher resolution images with fewer distortions are desired. One way to improve quality is to lower the temperature at the detector as it will reduce "noise" in the final image. However, current options for detector cooling are limited to standard large solutions. This collaboration aims to leverage experience from the University of Waterloo to develop advanced cooling solutions to expand the viable application space for such devices. The idea is to use strategically placed thermoelectric devices (miniature cooling devices) on the detector that will carry out on-the-spot cooling and couple them with microchannels that will act as heat sinks on the backside. Thermoelectric micropeltiers and similar devices are capable of providing localized sub-ambient cooling allowing for very focused active cooling. Also, microchannels can provide superior heat dissipation over standard heat sinks by leveraging both contact surface area and phase change of the coolant. The project aim will be to maintain a stable temperature at the detector of at least -10°C or cooler. In addition, the region of desired cooling is rather small (on the order of microns). This is why microchannels and miniature thermoelectric devices are essential. The result is an enhanced product that expands the viable market for these devices known as spectrometers. Higher quality spectroscopic data in the medical industry, for example, can revolutionize detection and early diagnosis of illnesses in patients and potentially save lives.