Submerging computers in oil keeps them cool

According to New Scientist, Very-PC claims that it is possible to cut power consumption in half and eliminate the need for fans or air conditioning.

Very-PC MD Peter Hopton got the idea by reading a suggestion on a news group online. Oil does not bugger up electronic components and transports heats more efficiently than air.

Very-PC prototypes server racks were immersed in tanks of oil and a fridge was positioned to create convection currents that draw heat away from the electronics. The oil could be chilled to -20ºC, but between 0ºC and 10ºC looks to be best.

Initially the firm used motor oil until is boffins twigged that it was corroding some of the components. The firm plans to have an oil-bath server prototype finished in the next few months, and plans to begin selling them early in 2008.

The downside is that you could be the first company to have your servers suffer from cholesterol poisoning and increased rates of heart disease.

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