Communications of the ACM
'wet' Computer Server Could Cut Internet Waste
Researchers testing a liquid-cooled computer server say it could greatly reduce the power requirements of computing.
Credit: Darrin Gatewood
University of Leeds researchers are testing Iceotope, a liquid-cooled computer server that they say could greatly reduce the carbon footprint of the Internet.
Conventional computers use air to cool their electronics, but all of Iceotope's components rely on a silent liquid-cooling process that takes advantage of the natural convection of heat. The researchers calculate that Iceotope's design cuts the amount of energy needed for cooling by 80 percent to 97 percent.
"The important thing for the future of computing and the Internet is that it is more than 1,000 times more effective at carrying heat than air," says Leeds researcher Jon Summers.
The non-flammable liquid coolant, called 3M Novec, can be in direct contact with electronics because it does not conduct electricity. The system uses a low-energy pump located at the bottom of the cabinet that pumps water to the top, where it cascades down throughout all 48 modules due to gravity. A third coolant can be drawn from grey water sources such as rainwater or river water, further reducing the environmental impact of the server.
From University of Leeds
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