Unlocking next-gen chip efficiency: UVA researchers confirm thermal insights for tiny circuits

In a leap toward more powerful and efficient computer chips, researchers at the University of Virginia have confirmed a key principle governing heat flow in thin metal films—a critical component in the race to design faster, smaller and more efficient devices. This work, published in Nature Communications and supported by the Semiconductor Research Corporation in collaboration with Intel, offers a breakthrough in understanding how thermal conductivity works in metals used within next-generation chips, unlocking possibilities for advancements in technology at scales once thought unattainable.

“As devices continue to shrink, the importance of managing heat becomes paramount,” said lead researcher and mechanical and aerospace engineering Ph.D. student Md. Rafiqul Islam. “Consider high-end gaming consoles or AI-driven data centers, where constant, high-power processing often leads to thermal bottlenecks. Our findings provide a blueprint to mitigate these issues by refining the way heat flows through ultra-thin metals like copper.”

Understanding the Science: Heat at the Nanoscale

Copper, widely used for its excellent conductive properties, faces significant challenges as devices scale down to nanometer dimensions. At such small scales, even the best materials experience a drop in performance due to increased heat—a phenomenon that’s amplified in copper, leading to lower conductivity and efficiency. To address this, the UVA team focused on a crucial element of thermal science known as Matthiessen’s rule, which they validated in ultra-thin copper films. The rule, which traditionally helps predict how different scattering processes influence electron flow, had never been thoroughly confirmed in nanoscale materials until now.

Using a novel method known as steady-state thermoreflectance (SSTR), the team measured copper's thermal conductivity and cross-checked it with electrical resistivity data. This direct comparison demonstrated that Matthiessen’s rule, when applied with specific parameters, reliably describes the way heat moves through copper films even at nanoscale thicknesses.

The Impact: Cooler, Faster and Smaller Chips

Why does this matter? In the world of very-large-scale integration (VLSI) technology, where circuits are packed into incredibly tight spaces, effective heat management directly translates to improved performance. This research not only points to a future where our devices run cooler but also promises a reduction in the amount of energy lost to heat—a pressing concern for sustainable technology. By confirming that Matthiessen’s rule holds even at nanoscale dimensions, the team has paved the way for refining materials that interconnect circuits in advanced computer chips, setting a standard for material behavior that manufacturers can rely on.

“Think of it as a roadmap,” said Patrick E. Hopkins, Isam’s adviser and the Whitney Stone Professor of Engineering. “With the validation of this rule, chip designers now have a trusted guide to predict and control how heat will behave in tiny copper films. This is a game-changer for making chips that meet the energy and performance demands of future technologies.”

A Collaboration for the Future of Electronics

The success of this study represents a collaboration between UVA, Intel and the Semiconductor Research Corporation, highlighting the strength of academic-industry partnerships. The findings promise significant applications in the development of next-generation CMOS technology—the backbone of modern electronics. CMOS, or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor, is the standard technology for building integrated circuits that run everything from computers and phones to automotive and medical devices.

By combining experimental insights with advanced modeling, UVA researchers have opened a door to materials that not only drive more efficient devices but also hold the potential for impactful energy savings across the industry. In a field where every degree of temperature control counts, these insights mark a vital step forward for the electronics industry, making a future of cooler, faster and more sustainable devices more achievable than ever.

The paper, titled “Evaluating size effects on the thermal conductivity and electron-phonon scattering rates of copper thin films for experimental validation of Matthiessen’s rule” was published in Nature Communications and authored by Md. Rafiqul Islam and Patrick E Hopkins from the University of Virginia. The study was supported by the Semiconductor Research Corporation, with additional mentorship and collaboration from researchers at Intel.

About UVA Engineering: As part of the top-ranked, comprehensive University of Virginia, UVA Engineering is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected engineering schools. Our mission is to make the world a better place by creating and disseminating knowledge and by preparing future engineering leaders. Outstanding students and faculty from around the world choose UVA Engineering because of our growing and internationally recognized education and research programs. UVA is the No. 1 public engineering school in the country for the percentage of women graduates, among schools with at least 75 degree earners; among the top engineering schools in the United States for the four-year graduation rate of undergraduate students; and among the top-growing public engineering schools in the country for the rate of Ph.D. enrollment growth. Our research program has grown by 95% since 2016. Learn more at engineering.virginia.edu.