SUNY New Paltz students build device to curb data center water use
Three SUNY New Paltz students developed a 3D-printed cooling device that could reduce data center water usage by up to 85%. This innovation addresses growing environmental concerns related to data center operations, particularly water consumption, and comes as New York has enacted a one-year moratorium on new data center projects.
Students at SUNY New Paltz, Marwa Zeroual, David Cacsire, and Mason Hernandez, under the guidance of Associate Professor Ping-Chuan Wang, have developed a 3D-printed cooling device designed to significantly reduce water consumption in data centers. The device, created over five weeks during the university's AC² Summer Research Program, features a thermally conductive metal plate that circulates water around computer chips and an automated control system that turns off water flow once the chip reaches a certain temperature.
The students' innovation offers a faster and simpler manufacturing alternative to traditional machined cold plates currently used in the industry. Early efficiency studies suggest that the device could save up to 85% of a data center's water supply at scale. This development is particularly relevant given the high water demands of data centers, with a medium-sized facility consuming up to 110 million gallons annually.
The project takes place in the context of increasing scrutiny on data center environmental impacts, including water usage. New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently enacted a one-year moratorium on data center development in the state, temporarily halting several proposals. Student Mason Hernandez highlighted the potential of 3D printing for rapid development, while Marwa Zeroual emphasized the device's role in conserving water and reducing energy costs and environmental hazards in the expanding AI landscape.