This project aims to evaluate immersion cooling technologies to address the rising thermal management demands in data centers. National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) will conduct market research to identify viable single-phase and two-phase immersion cooling solutions, followed by laboratory testing to assess thermal performance, material compatibility, reliability and system efficiency. Findings will inform Unified Facilities Criteria updates and recommendations for scalable cooling solutions to support high-performance computing needs, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning applications.

The project team will conduct market research to identify and document the most promising immersion cooling system designs, perform a safety assessment of single phase and two phase commercially-available solutions, procure prototypes, and perform lab testing of select dielectric products. An immersion cooling testbed will be designed. Laboratory evaluations will leverage NLR’s pre-existing capabilities such as NLR’s electrical distribution system, laboratory data acquisition systems, large environmental chambers, and conditioned fluid loops to the furthest extent possible. The testbed will augment these capabilities to evaluate both single- and two-phase immersion tanks, integrate various working fluids, and adjust computation (and resultant heat) loads. The actual test equipment for evaluation will include a mix of servers and thermal emulators, coolant distribution units and working fluid (whether single phase or two phase) that can be procured and safely tested. ESTCP will approve the testbed design, products for testing and provide direction on scope development for NLR to work with selected vendors. 

This project provides direct mission supporting military modernization goals and enabling advanced computing capabilities that directly support the warfighter. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2028)