Project Title: “Experimental Design of a Microchannel Electronics Cooler for High-Power Semiconductor Diode Laser Applications”

Research Partner: Assistant Professor Amir Jokar, Ph.D., School of Engineering and Computer Science, Washington State University Vancouver  
Project Funding Began: January 2008

 nLight Photonics, a manufacturer of high-power laser diode-based products located in Vancouver, Washington, is teamed with WSU Vancouver's School of Engineering and Computer Science to improve the cooling of their products.

WSU Vancouver received $42,500 in Phase II Research and Technology Development funding from Washington Technology Center for the project titled “Experimental Design of a Microchannel Electronics Cooler for High-Power Semiconductor Diode Laser Applications.”

High-power laser diodes are used widely throughout industry. As diode laser devices are operated, a portion of the electric power used is converted to waste thermal energy. Improving the cooling of these diodes will allow greater power levels and open up opportunities for numerous new applications.

In this Phase II project, nLight and the thermal/fluid team of WSU Vancouver, including Dr. Amir Jokar, Dr. Stephen Solovitz and research assistant Joseph Dix, will optimize and experimentally validate an electronics cooling subsystem previously studied by computational techniques. nLight plans to incorporate improved cooling subsystems in products for its defense, industrial, medical, and graphic arts markets.

"Even if you don't understand the science involved in this project, it's easy to understand the economic potential. The state is always looking to invest in increasing Washington 's commercialization capacity. nLight Photonics is one more example of research and industry's potential to work together in Southwest Washington not just to generate new high-tech ideas, but to get those ideas to market as usable, sellable products. I congratulate them on their worthy project and on receiving this grant.”

State Sen. Craig Pridemore, (D-Vancouver)

"This partnership between a cutting edge company like nLight and WSU Vancouver underscores the world wide significance of research in commercial technology applications in Southwest Washington ."

State Rep. Bill Fromhold (D-Vancouver)