Georgia Institute of Technology researchers are using a 1,100 sq. ft. simulated data center to explore airflow patterns, make temperature readings on systems and more. Fog generators, lasers and infrared sensors are among the tools used to visualize the best setup.

According to the school, a large server cabinet produced 1 to 5 kilowatts of heat five years ago, but versions today would be closer to 28 kilowatts and new machines could generate twice that.

"Some people have called this the Moore’s Law of data centers," said Yogendra Joshi, a professor in Georgia Tech’s Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, t. "The growth of cooling requirements parallels the growth of computing power, which doubles roughly ever 18 months."

Advanced thinking from the researchers includes developing algorithms to best match dynamically shifting computer loads to the coolest machines available. have noted the cooling challenges that go hand in hand with it. 

The researchers are also looking at how to best use waste heat removed from the data centers.