Microsoft in-chip cooling breakthrough cuts GPU heat rise by 65%

Microsoft has developed a breakthrough in-chip microfluidic cooling technology that channels liquid coolant directly inside GPU chips to remove heat more efficiently. This approach carves microscopic grooves into the silicon, enabling coolant to flow in direct contact with hot spots, which reduces the maximum GPU temperature rise by up to 65% and outperforms traditional cold plate cooling systems by as much as three times. The system also leverages AI to identify heat patterns and direct cooling precisely where needed. Microsoft successfully demonstrated this technology by cooling a server running simulated Teams meetings and is now prioritizing reliability testing. The design was inspired by natural vein structures, with Microsoft collaborating with Swiss startup Corintis to create bio-inspired coolant channels that improve heat dissipation compared to straight channels. The engineering challenge involved balancing channel depth for effective coolant flow without compromising silicon strength, developing leak-proof chip packaging, and integrating etching processes into chip manufacturing. Beyond individual chips, Microsoft envisions microfluidics playing a major role in datacenters by enabling more