Explained: How liquid cooling technology works in smartphones – Times of India

Modern smartphones pack the power of a mini-computer in our pockets and are no more limited to a device just for calling. The load on these devices has increased due to heavier apps, faster processors and highly evolving graphics. Such exorbitant load causes even the best smartphones to heat up and eventually affect the performance of the device. Modern users are also aware of the importance of a smartphone that doesn’t crack under pressure. From playing major mobile game titles to binge-watching content, smartphones produce a lot of heat. This is where liquid cooling technology comes to the rescue. Let us discuss how liquid cooling technology works in a smartphone and the different types of liquid cooling technologies that are used by phone manufacturers.
How does liquid cooling work in a smartphone?
Liquid cooling in a smartphone works on the principle of heat dissipation. Devices with this technology come with a pre-installed heat pipe that contains a cooling liquid. This pipe absorbs the excessive heat generated from the processor and turns the liquid present in the pipe into vapour. The condensation of the liquid helps in heat dissipation and gradually brings down the ambient temperature.
Vapour Chamber cooling technology in smartphones
Some of the fluids that are commonly used for cooling includes — Water, de-ionized water, glycol-water solutions and fluorocarbons. However, most smartphones use water that too in tiny quantities which usually stays in the vapour form. This arrangement has resulted in the technology getting a popular name — ‘vapour chamber cooling.’ The first two brands to adopt this technology were Nokia and Samsung, but now multiple latest smartphones in the market use this cooling method.
What is Xiaomi’s Loop LiquidCool technology?
Xiaomi announced this technology in 2021 which is inspired by the aerospace industry. The company claims that this technology offers much better cooling than traditional vapour chamber cooling. The Loop LiquidCool technology uses a “capillary effect” to draw the liquid cooling agent to the heat source. The heat then vaporises the cooling agent and efficiently disperses the heat towards a cooler area in the system. The vapour then condenses in the cooler area and is ent again to the heat source for its next cycle. This continuous cycle helps the system to remain cool. Xiaomi is expected to add a heat pipe system, an evaporator, a condenser, a refill chamber, along with gas and liquid pipes for the technology to work.
How is Loop LiquidCool technology different from Vapour Chamber cooling technology?
Both the technologies use a similar technique to keep devices cool but unlike the Loop LiquidCool technology, Vapour Chamber cooling lacks a separate channel for liquids and gases. These separate channels restrict hot gases and cool liquid from mixing between the cycle, which eventually affects the performance of the device. Xiaomi’s technology uses a Tesla valve to ensure that the flow of the system is unidirectional. The valve allows only liquid to pass through while checking gases from getting inside.
Other available cooling technologies
There are other technologies that smartphones use other than liquid cooling to maintain the temperature of the device. The traditional ‘air cooling’ method which uses fans to dissipate the heat and cool down the processor is also common. There is another method that helps in maintaining the device’s temperature. This method is called throttling as it restricts the power of the smartphone before it hits maximum.