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SBIR Phase II: Fluid submersion cooling for energy and cost efficient data…

Award Information

Agency:
National Science Foundation 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2012 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
1127222 		Solicitation Year:
2012 		Solicitation Topic Code:
BC 		Solicitation Number:
Small Business Information
GR Cooling
5555 N. Lamar Ste K117 Austin, TX 78758-0000
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2012
Title: SBIR Phase II: Fluid submersion cooling for energy and cost efficient data centers
Agency: NSF
Contract: 1127222
Award Amount: $452,695.00
 

Abstract:

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project proposes to commercialize liquid submersion cooling for computer servers. Liquid submersion cooling involves submersion of heat-generating components in a non-electrically-conductive liquid, replacing air as the heat transfer medium. Liquid is significantly better than air to transfer heat, but historically has required cost-prohibitive capital expenditures due to the added complexity of previous liquid cooling architectures. The research objectives are to produce a system capable of being mass produced at low cost, and with compelling system features that drive customer demand. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project includes lowering of one of the largest marginal contributors to US electricity use. The EPA estimates that data centers now use nearly 3% of US electricity, up from nearly 1% in 2000, with nearly half of power being driven by using air as the primary heat transfer medium. This high-efficiency system offers the potential to cut total energy use by nearly 50% by nearly eliminating energy for cooling and reducing server power through internal fan removal, while offering higher cooling performance and lower costs. Also, this new heat-recapture system offers the potential to eliminate nearly all server energy in many locales. Alternate cooling solutions that are cost effective only offer marginal improvements, and as computing becomes a larger part of the economy, the search for more energy and cost efficient technologies will become more critical.

Principal Investigator:

Christiaan Best
5127712902
christiaan.best@grcooling.com

Business Contact:

Christiaan Best
5127712902
christiaan.best@grcooling.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

GR Cooling
5555 N. Lamar Ste K117 Austin, TX 78758-0000

EIN/Tax ID: 943462532
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No