Jul 29,2026 
From Air-Cooled to Liquid-Cooled, Phase-Change Technology Redefines the New Era of Computing Power Cooling
Shanghai, July 2026 — Amid the dazzling AI applications on display at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2026), one of the most crowded areas wasn't showcasing a chatbot or a robot—it was dedicated to the invisible backbone of the AI era: thermal management.
On Day 1, the exhibition booths of leading liquid cooling manufacturers became an unmistakable highlight of the venue. Industry leaders, data center operators, and tech media from around the globe gathered to witness the latest phase-change immersion liquid cooling solutions unveiled at the conference. This highly anticipated product category instantly claimed its "spotlight moment" on the grand stage of WAIC 2026.
Why Is Liquid Cooling "Taking Center Stage" in the Era of Computing Power Surge?
Over the past year, AI large language models have scaled from hundreds of billions to trillions of parameters, while the power consumption of a single GPU chip has surpassed 700W and is approaching the 1000W threshold. Traditional air cooling has hit its physical limits in both efficiency and energy consumption, leaving data centers trapped between insufficient computing capacity and unsustainable cooling costs.
As one industry executive stated during a product launch: "When the heat flux density of chips exceeds the physical ceiling of air cooling, liquid cooling is no longer an option—it is an imperative. Liquid cooling is taking center stage not because we are following a trend, but because it is the inevitable choice for computing power survival."
However, not all liquid cooling solutions are created equal. Concerns over water leakage risks, poor temperature uniformity in cold-plate designs, and high maintenance costs have long given customers pause. Several leading manufacturers have stepped in at this critical juncture with truly disruptive products.
Why Did Phase-Change Solutions Steal the Spotlight on Day 1?
The phase-change products unveiled at WAIC 2026 captured immediate attention because they represent a generational leap in cooling technology, rather than incremental patches to existing systems.
Ultimate Energy Efficiency, Approaching Theoretical Limits of PUE
Leveraging phase-change heat transfer technology, these solutions remove heat through the latent heat of vaporization of the cooling medium, achieving heat transfer efficiency that is tenfold higher than single-phase liquid cooling. Real-world test data shows that data centers adopting these solutions can achieve an annual average PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) as low as 1.05 or below—meaning that for every 1 kWh of computing power, only 0.05 kWh is consumed for cooling.
Inherent Safety, Eliminating "Leakage Anxiety"
To address the industry's greatest concern—insulation and corrosion risks—several manufacturers have developed second-generation composite phase-change coolants featuring high flash point, low viscosity, and superior dielectric strength. More importantly, even in the unlikely event of a leak, the medium rapidly evaporates at room temperature, leaving zero residue and remaining completely non-conductive, fundamentally overturning the industry's perception of liquid cooling as "high-risk."
Intelligent Operations, Full Visibility and Control Over the Phase-Change Process
Leading liquid cooling providers offer more than just hardware—they provide a "smart brain." The accompanying Intelligent Phase-Change Control Platforms leverage AI algorithms to predict chip loads in real time and precisely regulate phase-change cycle pressure. This enables a leap from "passive cooling" to "on-demand cooling," boosting operational efficiency by over 60%.
On-Site Report: From Curiosity to Commitment
Beyond drawing steady streams of visitors, the booths of multiple manufacturers at WAIC also witnessed the signing of several strategic cooperation agreements and partnerships on the very first day of the conference.
A senior infrastructure executive from a major tech firm, who experienced the phase-change server nodes on-site, commented: "We've tested many liquid cooling solutions, but what impressed me most about phase-change technology is its 'industrial elegance.' The system is remarkably streamlined—eliminating complex secondary-side pumps and plate heat exchangers and cutting the number of failure points in half. This is a solution that can be deployed at scale."
Final Thoughts: A Spotlight Moment Is Not the End, but the Beginning of Green Computing
The Day 1 "spotlight moment" is a testament to the years of dedicated R&D that leading manufacturers have invested in phase-change technology. At the intersection of global carbon neutrality goals and the explosive growth of AI computing power, phase-change liquid cooling technology is proving with tangible product excellence that liquid cooling is taking center stage—and phase-change is the future of liquid cooling.
WAIC 2026 continues, and the story of this technological breakthrough is just beginning. We warmly invite you to visit the exhibition booths and experience firsthand the "cooling power" of phase-change technology.
Keep computing power calm. Let intelligence thrive.
