Over the years, semiconductor technology has been used to make not just chips, but lights, solar cells and an array of sensors and storage devices.
One San Jose startup thinks it can use a similar process to make chips that actively cool other chips in place of fans. Frore Systems Inc.'s AirJet devices use an internal membrane to draw heat out of the air inside computers and direct it outside of them. According to the company, its AirJets can cool computers better and operate more quietly than traditional fans.
That's important, particularly in laptops. Chip and computer manufacturers often throttle down the power of processors used in such computers so the devices don't overheat. Even when they have fans, those fans can often be noisy and can quickly eat up limited battery power. Investors are betting Frore is on to something. The company announced this week it's raised $100 million in new funding. That brings to $136 million the amount Frore has raised since it was was founded in 2018.FundingsSan Jose, $100 million: Qualcomm Ventures led the round for this developer of a chip designed to actively cool computing devices. Mayfield, Clear Ventures and Addition also invested.wireless power-at-a-distance" company.