Google SpaceX and Researchers Take Different Paths to Cool Data Centers

Tech giants like Google and SpaceX are exploring ambitious solutions to the growing energy demands of data centers, including moving them into space. Google's Project Suncatcher aims to develop solar-powered AI computing infrastructure in orbit, leveraging the continuous solar power and vast space available. The project recently took a step forward with the launch of Google's AI chips aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking its first in-orbit test.

Meanwhile, researchers in Japan and Germany are working on a more down-to-earth solution to the data center cooling problem. Their approach, called elastocaloric cooling, uses shape memory alloy films made from titanium-nickel. These films change shape in response to heat, driving a refrigeration cycle that could potentially reduce the energy and water requirements of conventional cooling systems.

The prototype system consists of a thermal actuator and a cooling unit. The thermal actuator uses the shape memory alloy film, which stretches when heated and generates force to elongate a refrigerant film. This film then contacts a heat sink to remove heat, and as both films cool, they return to their original shapes, restarting the cycle. The process is designed to repeat continuously without needing a conventional motor.

While the research paper does not specifically propose this technology for data center cooling, it could address the significant energy and water demands of large computing facilities. However, the current prototype has limitations, including low cooling power of 2.09 milliwatts and slow actuation. Scaling the technology to practical applications will require overcoming these challenges.