Chinese researchers discover new salty cooling solution that can drop temperatures by more than 50 degrees Celsius in seconds — depressurizing saturated fluid triggers massive amounts of heat transfer

Chinese researchers have developed a new cooling solution using ammonium thiocyanate salt that can rapidly drop temperatures by over 50 degrees Celsius by depressurizing saturated fluid, triggering significant heat transfer. This innovation, detailed in a Nature publication, offers a more energy-efficient alternative to traditional refrigerants, boasting nearly 80% theoretical efficiency. The system, likened to a wet sponge, could revolutionize cooling in data centers, potentially reducing their electricity consumption by 40%. While the solution presents challenges like requiring electricity for compression and potential safety hazards, it holds promise for addressing the energy consumption issues faced by AI tech companies and data centers.