Data Centre Cooling: proof-of-concept

Digital tools are omnipresent and their rise exponential. Cloud and digital services have improved our lives and, overall, reduced carbon emissions, although at the expense of a growing electricity demand from data centres. Remarkably, nearly half the data centre electricity input is for self-cooling, which provides an opportunity for a technology able to harness low-grade heat and turn it into cooling power. The co-location of energy in form of heat and water is an opportunity.

The project focuses on the design and demonstration of a proof-of-principle 3D printed heat-powered cooling device that reduces waste heat and greenhouse gas emissions and boosts return on investment, while meeting all the sustainability criteria.Special characterisation techniques and additive manufacturing tools guide the development of a geometrically-optimised heat-to-cold concept which is designed to break through current barriers to commercialisation.

In this project, you will research and develop an innovative technology that uses low temperature heat for the production of cold by exploiting recent discoveries in material science and engineering [1, 2]. The ambition of this project is to earn the sector’s support and enable the widespread use of heat-powered cooling in place of the current electricity-driven counterpart.

You will work in the Emerging Sustainable Technologies Laboratory (ESTech Lab) [3], be part of a world leading research group in sustainable technologies towards the development of a proof-of-concept super-efficient processes for heat-powered cooling, have access to state-of-the-art equipment including rapid prototyping tools and brainstorm new technological avenues for cooling.

Your studies will be carried out at the Institute for Materials and Processes (IMP) and will include modelling activities supported by experiments. You will attain skills in modelling, design and testing of innovative technologies for cooling.

Please note, the position will be filled once a suitable candidate has been identified.

[1] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ente.202300548

[2] https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.9b06037

[3] https://www.linkedin.com/in/giulio-santori-a365546/  

Minimum entry qualification - an Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or International equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline, possibly supported by an MSc Degree. As well as: 

• Proficiency with plastic 3D printing, both FDM and Stereolithographic methods
• Familiarity with Labview or similar data acquisition and control
• Familiarity with dynamic identification methods

Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants.

Desirable criteria: 

• knowledge of thermodynamics of fluid phase equilibria or physical chemistry;
• proficiency in computational tool such as Matlab, Mathcad, Mathematica etc… with emphasis on graphical user interface design.

A number of scholarships are available to competitive candidates. For more information on the funding application process, please contact the project’s supervisor or visit the School of Engineering website.

Applications are also welcomed from self-funded students.