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Revolutionizing thermal Management in Next-Generation AI data centers: Challenges and breakthrough innovations

Wang, Pengtao [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000214713429)·Sun, Jian [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000302874302)·Nawaz, Kashif [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000251612491)
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Abstract

Data centers (DCs) serve as critical infrastructure for powering the growth and evolution of AI. Next-generation AI DCs present unique challenges in thermal management driven by unprecedented computational demands. This paper provides a comprehensive summary of key stakeholder perspectives on technology gaps, infrastructure requirements, test bed needs, emerging opportunities, and preliminary solutions related to thermal management for AI DCs. It establishes six strategic pillars of thermal management for next generation AI DC: reliability, deployability, efficiency, resilience, measurability, and valorization. The discussion spans a range of critical topics, including advanced cooling technologies, thermal strategies for emerging modular and edge DCs, system-level optimization and control frameworks, infrastructure planning and grid integration designs, benchmarking approaches, and pathways for waste heat recovery and reuse. The proposed research, development, and demonstration efforts are aimed at accelerating the deployment of AI DCs while ensuring energy efficiency, reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance.

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Wang, Pengtao [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000214713429), Sun, Jian [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000302874302), Nawaz, Kashif [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000251612491). 2026-06-01. Revolutionizing thermal Management in Next-Generation AI data centers: Challenges and breakthrough innovations. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2026.128180

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