Impact of Spatial Configuration on Fluid Flow through a Microchannel with Fin Pin Array

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Nazgul Bikkinina
Aiguzel Bulatova
Olga Solnyshkina
Ufa University of Science and Technology, St. Z. Validi, 32, Ufa, 450076, Russian Federation
10.22055/jacm.2025.47994.4897
Abstract
Enhancing the efficiency of microheat exchangers with channel characteristic dimensions of up to 100 microns represents a critical challenge for advancing cooling systems in microelectronics. Approaches to address this challenge can be categorized into several key areas: optimizing geometry and design, employing advanced materials, and adopting innovative manufacturing technologies. Among these factors, optimizing the fluid flow rate within the micro heat sink channels is critical for achieving efficient heat dissipation with minimal resource consumption. This study aims to investigate the impact of pin arrangement and geometry on the hydraulic performance of microchannel heat sinks. In this work, an efficient numerical approach, based on the FMM/GPU accelerated 3D Boundary Element Method is used to simulate fluid flow in microchannels with pin-fin arrays. The primary objective of this study is to identify configurations of a microchannel heat exchanger section that maximize the ratio of the contact area with the cooling fluid to the volume, while ensuring the minimization of the required pressure drop for fluid pumping without power consumption. The effects of pin spatial arrangement and rotation angle on flow patterns and overall channel capacity are systematically analyzed. The results demonstrate a clear relationship between microchannel geometry and coolant flow rate, revealing that even a modest increase in the channel capacity, the area of contact with the liquid increased by a factor of 5. These results provide valuable insights for optimizing the arrangement of microscale arrays, facilitating more effective heat removal from functional elements in microelectronic cooling systems.
Keywords
Microchannel heat sink
Stokes flow
Fluid dynamics
Fin pin array
Boundary element method
Channel configuration
Subjects

Publisher’s Note Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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Journal of Applied and Computational Mechanics
Volume 12, Issue 1
Winter 2026
Pages 164-175