Lehigh University researchers develop concrete thermal battery for data center cooling

Researchers at Lehigh University have developed a concrete-based thermal battery capable of storing waste heat from data centers. The prototype, which features a 150 kWh storage capacity, can withstand temperatures up to 500°C and demonstrates an energy recovery efficiency exceeding 70%. By utilizing engineered cement and embedded thermosiphons, the system captures heat from server equipment and converts it into usable energy for industrial processes, district heating, or absorption cooling. This technology offers a flexible solution for managing fluctuating computing loads, allowing data centers to repurpose heat that would otherwise be released into the environment. The project, funded by federal energy grants, has been licensed to a private company to explore integration with existing energy infrastructure. This innovation represents a significant step toward improving the sustainability of high-performance computing facilities by bridging the gap between waste heat production and practical thermal energy demand.