heat sink

hardware /heet sink/ (from "sink", electronics jargon for

something which takes in current) A piece of thermally

conductive metal attached to a semiconductor or other

electronic device and designed to prevent it from overheating

by conducting heat away from it and radiating it to the

environment. Heat sinks often have fins to increase their

surface area. They occasionally have fans attached. Heat

sink compound can be smeared between the device and the heat

sink to improve thermal conduction.

(1997-06-10)