IARPA Interested in Deep Learning, Portable Cooling

The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) is seeking information on research efforts in the area of machine learning with a particular focus on deep learning and in the area of cooling systems for small mobile devices.

The organization released two requests for information (RFIs) today. The machine learning and deep learning RFI states only that IARPA is especially interested in hearing from organizations with “knowledge of, and experience implementing, current, cutting-edge machine learning techniques” and able to “perform research and development at the TOP SECRET//SCI level,” including “the presence of qualified, cleared personnel as well as appropriate network access.”

The more detailed portable cooling RFI explains that IARPA expects smartphones to one day be used as processors for a variety of sensors, possibly in parked vehicles where temperatures can quickly reach temperatures approaching 170 degrees Fahrenheit, at which the phone battery may rupture, catch fire or even explode, leading to destruction of the phone, associated sensors and even the vehicle.

This RFI seeks novel form factor approaches to a cooling solution for mobile devices such as smartphones. “The cooling solution must be designed to both mitigate the internal heat load from the device’s electronics under heavy use conditions, and shield the device from high ambient temperatures, up to 170 degrees Fahrenheit,” the RFI states. “If the proposed cooling solution requires power, the power must be supplied within the form factor of the device, i.e. the cooling solution cannot tap the phone’s battery. Creative cooling solutions that do not use power are strongly encouraged.”