What is a radiator？

Translation into English:‌

Radiator‌ refers to a category of devices designed to transfer and dissipate heat, functioning actively or passively to maintain equipment within safe operating temperatures by releasing excess thermal energy into the environment.

Key Classifications and Applications

By Application‌

Electronics Radiators‌: Examples include CPU/GPU coolers in computers, utilizing air cooling (heat pipes + fans) or liquid cooling (circulating coolant systems) to prevent hardware overheating.
Vehicle Radiators‌: Engine radiators (coolant systems) and intercoolers regulate temperatures in automotive powertrains via liquid circulation or airflow.
Industrial Heating Radiators‌: Distribute heat through hot water or steam in building heating systems, commonly seen in traditional供暖 setups.

Core Structure and Technology‌

Materials‌: Copper and aluminum alloys are widely used, with copper offering higher thermal conductivity and aluminum balancing lightweight design and cost efficiency.
Components‌: Incorporate heat pipes, fins, and fans to maximize surface area and airflow for enhanced dissipation.
Typical Use Cases
Mobile Devices‌: Portable solutions like magnetic phone coolers address overheating during gaming.
High-Performance Computing‌: Desktop PCs employ dual-tower air coolers or liquid cooling for high-power CPUs.
Automotive Engineering‌: Turbocharged engines rely on intercoolers to reduce intake air temperature and improve combustion efficiency.

This translation maintains the original structure while adapting terminology (e.g., "散热器" → "radiator" or "heatsink") and aligns with authoritative bilingual definitions.