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Chinese scientists have claimed a breakthrough in the field of thermal engineering. They have developed a liquid cooling technology that can generate sub-zero temperatures from room temperature in just a few seconds. Scientists say this technology could be a game-changer for AI-based data centers, where heat management has become a major challenge due to the immense computing power involved.

The technology utilizes the unique behavior of ammonium thiocyanate, a special salt dissolved in water. The scientists describe the process of applying and releasing pressure as similar to "squeezing a wet sponge." As the pressure is released, the salt rapidly redissolves, instantly absorbing heat from the surroundings.

Freezing in 20 Seconds
During the research, it was found that at room temperature, the solution cooled down by approximately 30 degrees Celsius in just 20 seconds. In hotter environments, a temperature drop of more than 50 degrees Celsius was observed. This capability is considered far more effective than existing cooling systems. The research was published on January 22nd in the prestigious journal 'Nature'. The research team included scientists from the Institute of Metal Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research, among others. They say this technology will not only provide faster cooling for AI infrastructure but also significantly reduce energy consumption.

This Technology Could Be Crucial in the AI ​​Race
The number of data centers is rapidly increasing alongside the AI ​​race between the US and China. In 2024, US commercial electricity consumption increased by 11 percent, with data centers playing a significant role. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has also acknowledged that running AI systems requires massive amounts of electricity and cooling.

Although China has greater electricity generation capacity than the US, it is now also working on more energy-efficient data centers. In this context, scientists have advanced the traditional "barocaloric effect" by applying it to liquid solutions, which they have named the "dissolution-based barocaloric effect."

Liquid cools rapidly
Based on this technique, scientists have developed a four-stage cooling cycle that involves applying pressure, releasing heat, rapidly cooling by releasing the pressure, and then using the cooled liquid to absorb heat from machines. In one cycle, each gram of liquid can absorb approximately 67 joules of heat, and its theoretical efficiency is reported to be up to 77 percent, which is significantly better than conventional refrigerators.

According to Chinese state media CCTV, approximately 40 percent of the total electricity consumption of data centers is spent on cooling alone. Therefore, this new discovery can not only save electricity but also eliminate the use of environmentally harmful gases.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.