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Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a breakthrough cooling technology that promises to significantly enhance the energy efficiency of data centers and high-power electronics. This innovation is critically important, as current cooling systems consume up to 40% of data center energy, a cost that could double by 2030. The solution lies in a specialized membrane that passively dissipates heat through liquid evaporation. Constructed from an inexpensive fibrous material with microscopic pores, the membrane leverages the capillary effect to efficiently distribute liquid, thereby enabling heat removal from electronics without additional energy expenditure.

The new method has proven substantially more effective than traditional fans and pumps, while simultaneously consuming significantly less water. Professor Renkun Chen, who led the project, emphasized that a key feature of the development is the optimal size and structure of the membrane's pores, which prevent previously encountered issues such as clogging or boiling.

Tests have yielded record-breaking results: the membrane managed heat fluxes exceeding 800 watts per square centimeter and demonstrated stability under prolonged high loads. The researchers plan to integrate this technology into cold plates for cooling CPUs and GPUs and intend to launch a startup for its commercialization.

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Photo: Tianshi Feng