Optical Interconnect AAGP Coating for Passive Radiative Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical interconnects heat up during operation, leading to decreased output power, longer wavelengths, increased errors, and excessive power consumption, which negatively impact performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an alkali activated geopolymer (AAGP) coating on optical interconnects and using infrared light to cool the transceivers through passive radiative cooling, monitoring temperature or output power to determine when cooling is needed, and directing infrared light to the AAGP coating to maintain optimal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If optical interconnects operate continuously, then signal transmission is maintained, but temperature increases causing performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation durationVSAvoidtransceiver temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/active cooling systems with passive radiative cooling using infrared-transparent materials. The system uses a specialized coating that allows thermal radiation to escape passively without moving parts, fans, or active refrigeration cycles, thereby maintaining continuous operation while controlling temperature rise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of infrared radiation through the atmosphere. The infrared-transparent coating enables thermal radiation to pass through the coating and atmosphere, effectively transferring heat from the transceiver to the environment via radiative phase change without requiring physical contact or fluid media.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Temperature

If cooling systems are added to maintain performance, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransceiver temperature controlVSAvoidcooling system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service cooling where the transceiver coating automatically regulates temperature through passive radiative heat transfer. The infrared-transparent coating inherently allows heat to escape when temperature rises, eliminating the need for external control systems, sensors, or active cooling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the cooling function from complex mechanical systems and embeds it directly into the coating material itself. By integrating the thermal management capability into the infrared-transparent coating, the system eliminates separate cooling components and reduces overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If traditional cooling methods are used, then temperature reduction is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransceiver temperature reductionVSAvoidcooling power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces energy-consuming active cooling mechanisms with passive radiative cooling. The infrared-transparent coating enables natural heat dissipation through thermal radiation without requiring electrical power input, thereby achieving temperature reduction while minimizing or eliminating cooling power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The passive radiative cooling system operates autonomously using the transceiver's own thermal energy. The infrared-transparent coating facilitates self-cooling by allowing thermal radiation to escape naturally, converting the transceiver's heat into useful radiative cooling without external energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces error rates and overall power consumption by effectively cooling the transceivers, maintaining performance and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

cooling, based on a determination that the output power has decreased below a threshold value, the transceiver by directing infrared light towards the AAGP coating on the transceiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPassive radiative cooling: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS12516985B2Cooling optical interconnects using light

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, and systems for cooling optical interconnects using light include monitoring an output power of a transceiver, where the transceiver includes an alkali activated geopolymer (AAGP) coating, and cooling, based on a determination that the output power has decreased below a threshold value, the transceiver by directing infrared light towards the transceiver.