As artificial intelligence and cloud computing continue their explosive growth, data centers face mounting challenges in managing the intense heat generated by high-performance processors. A groundbreaking solution from University of California San Diego engineers could transform how these facilities handle thermal management.
The team has created a passive evaporative cooling membrane that achieves record-breaking heat dissipation without consuming additional energy. Unlike traditional cooling systems that rely on power-hungry fans, pumps, and compressors, this innovation leverages basic physics to remove heat naturally and efficiently.
"Compared to traditional air or liquid cooling, evaporation can dissipate higher heat flux while using less energy," explains Professor Renkun Chen, who co-led the project at UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering alongside professors Shengqiang Cai and Abhishek Saha.
The technology features a specially engineered fiber membrane with a network of tiny, interconnected pores that draw cooling liquid across its surface through capillary action. As the liquid evaporates, it efficiently removes heat from the electronics underneath. In testing, the membrane managed heat fluxes exceeding 800 watts per square centimeter—one of the highest levels ever recorded for passive cooling systems.
The timing couldn't be more critical. According to the International Energy Agency, data centers currently account for approximately 1.5% of global electricity consumption, with cooling representing up to 40% of a data center's energy use. By 2030, data center electricity demand is projected to more than double to around 945 terawatt-hours globally, driven largely by AI applications.
While the current results are promising, Professor Chen notes the technology is still operating below its theoretical limit. The team is now refining the membrane and preparing to integrate it into prototypes of cold plates for CPUs and GPUs. They've also launched a startup to commercialize the technology, which could help address the energy crisis facing AI infrastructure while reducing its environmental impact.