Corintis, a Swiss startup based in Lausanne, is addressing the increasing heat management issues in AI infrastructure through groundbreaking innovations. By coming out of stealth with a newly acquired $24M in Series A funding, Corintis plans to expand its operations and partnerships, specifically focusing on cooling down high-performance computer chips. Their strategy centers around using microfluidic cooling technology to avoid overheating as artificial intelligence models advance. They plan to open installations in the US and Germany, gearing up to tap into the growing demand for efficient thermal management in data centers.
Corintis’ focus aligns with the broader industry trends, as advanced AI models require increasingly powerful chips, thus generating more heat. In the past, significant AI entities like NVIDIA have addressed these thermal challenges as AI’s computational demands rapidly evolved, indicating a wider industry-scale adaptation to effective cooling methods. Historically, Corintis has consistently collaborated with major industry players like Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), achieving remarkable cooling improvements in chip performance. Their previous efforts demonstrated a commitment to advancing thermal management solutions, reinforcing their relevance in the sector.
What is Driving Corintis’ Recent Momentum?
Corintis’ recent funding round cements its leading role in advanced cooling solutions for semiconductors. Lip-Bu Tan, a new board director and investor, highlighted the increasing importance of these technologies, stating,
“Cooling is one of the biggest challenges for next-generation chips. Corintis is fast becoming the industry leader in advanced semiconductor cooling solutions.”
The inclusion of industry veterans like Tan underscores the potential impact Corintis could have on the sector, supported by its strategic partnerships and innovative approaches.
What Does This Mean for AI Systems?
The intensifying computation needs of AI systems mean chip cooling is more critical than ever. Advanced AI models, such as those similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, need robust heat management, driving companies to adopt liquid cooling solutions previously highlighted by NVIDIA. Corintis has adapted its technology to meet this demand by using AI functionalities that enable chips to operate at optimal power levels without overheating.
To tackle these complicated thermal bottlenecks, Corintis has developed tailored micro-scale cooling systems, as explained by Co-founder Remco van Erp:
“Every chip is unique…Finding the right design per chip to create increasingly better cooling systems under short timelines is a challenge that will only get harder.”
Their solutions highlight a focus on co-designed cooling technologies, which allow data centers to lower water usage while improving system performance.
The Swiss company’s technology integrates the design of cooling systems with chip configurations to enhance thermal management efficiency. Their development includes simulation software, custom manufacturing processes, and a platform for real-time validation of chip cooling designs. Such an approach has led them to manufacture over ten thousand cooling systems, already in use across AI-driven data centers.
Corintis has leveraged research from the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, resulting in a unique microfluidic cooling technique for AI workloads. Partnering with industry giants such as Microsoft, they demonstrated impressive improvements in heat dissipation. The company aims to expand its workforce and manufacturing capabilities, projecting an annual production of over one million cold plates by 2026, ensuring their sustainability and innovation goals continue to advance.
