Air cooled heat sink design optimization in free convection

The optimization of heat sink performance is becoming ever more critical in passively air-cooled applications. In this paper, an overview of analytical, semi-empirical and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-based methodologies for air-cooled heat sink design optimization in free convection is presented. The advantages and potential limitations of these design techniques are summarized. A multi-faceted heat sink design strategy is advocated, which combines the analysis techniques presented with experimentation. The need to incorporate sustainability and formal optimization in the design process is highlighted.