Nippon Light Metal and Dowa Metaltech Develop New Cooler

Nippon Light Metal announced on Wednesday the firm developed new cooler for power module in cooperation with Dowa Metaltech, an operating company of Dowa Holdings. The companies eye the device’s applications such as rail vehicles, hybrid cars and wind power generators and aim the sales at 2 billion yen per year in 2016.

The new device is composed of metal bonded ceramic substrate and aluminium heat sink. The companies selected aluminium component, which is lighter than copper. The integrated shape realizes fewer components and less costs than conventional devices.

The integrated shape also contributes to higher cooling performance, which is 50% or more than conventional devices. The new device enables more effective electric power control even for power modules with high density and high temperature. The companies plan to start sample supply within 2011 and commercial production in 2013.