What if the biggest barrier to liquid cooling adoption isn't the technology - it's just protecting against what happens when things go wrong?

In this episode, Cassandra Zentner of Actnano joins Robert for a refreshingly practical conversation that strips away the idealism and gets to the heart of why protection matters just as much as prevention - and why automotive-grade coating technology is already more relevant than most people realise.

From her decade protecting Tesla and Rivian autonomous driving systems to bringing 15-20 year warranty-grade protection to data centers, Cassandra brings grounded realism to an industry still assuming leaks and condensation can be completely prevented.

Together, they explore:

· Why protection is the missing piece in the prevent-detect-protect trilogy

· The reality behind leak assumptions - catastrophic failures AND slow PG25 coolant buildup both damage expensive chips

· Why coating technology (not just tighter controls) enables operational flexibility

· How Actnano's collaboration across chip makers, hyperscalers, and ODMs creates supply chain-wide protection

· Why condensation concerns and narrow HVAC windows mean data centers are over-engineered for prevention

· The insurance policy mindset - protecting hundred-thousand-pound investments when infrastructure inevitably fails

If you've ever wondered whether direct liquid cooling protection is essential or wanted someone to explain it without assuming perfect conditions, Cassandra delivers the straight talk with automotive credibility. Her insight? "The data center is the easy environment" - because if it protects against salt, frost, and corrosive gases in EVs, your server boards are already covered.

What if the biggest barrier to immersion cooling isn't technical - it's just understanding what it actually is?

In this episode, Allison Boen of Alcatex and the Open Compute Project joins Robert for a warmly authentic conversation that strips away the jargon and gets to the heart of why single-phase immersion cooling matters - and why it's already more deployed than most people realise.

From her 30-year journey as a self-described "CRAC dealer" (computer room air conditioner specialist) to becoming Shell's Brand Ambassador and OCP's immersion community champion, Allison brings infectious enthusiasm to a technology she discovered in 2014 and hasn't stopped evangelising since.

Together, they explore:

• Why Intel's recent warranty certification with Shell and Supermicro changes everything
• The reality behind deployment numbers - Shell's Houston facility runs half its 7MW workload on just 2MW of immersion
• Why hybrid data centres (not rip-and-replace) are the practical path forward
• How OCP's collaboration breaks down ego barriers and creates agnostic TCO tools anyone can use
• Why protest signs in tiny Irish villages and Mission Impossible films mean data centres have officially gone mainstream

If you've ever wondered whether immersion cooling is still just "proof of concept" or wanted someone to explain it without the sales pitch, Allison delivers the straight talk with genuine passion. Her advice? "Don't spill it" - because if you need floor drains, you've engineered it wrong.

What happens when you've been testing data centres since before "data centre" was even a term?

In this episode, Dave Wolfenden of Heat Load joins Robert to trace an extraordinary journey from COBOL programming at Heathrow Airport to becoming one of the UK's pioneering data centre commissioning specialists. Starting with Argos heaters and 500kW of rack-mounted units delivered in transit vans, Heat Load has evolved to deploy up to 120MW of testing equipment across 10 articulated lorries.

Dave shares candid insights from over three decades in the industry - from the early days of chaotic rack layouts and liquid CO2 cooling experiments to today's hyperscale pressure cooker where data halls are worth £1M per megawatt per day in lost revenue.

Together, they explore:

• How testing has evolved from basic USB sensors to real-time 3D modelling with wireless monitoring
• The logistics nightmare of juggling equipment across Europe while customers demand instant deployment
• Why immersion cooling adoption is slower than expected (and why Heat Load is ready anyway)
• The shift from owner-operators to hyperscalers - and what that means for the industry

If you want to understand how data centre commissioning really works - from the sharp end of delivery deadlines to the evolution of an entire industry - this conversation delivers the unvarnished truth from someone who's been there since day one.

What if we could decarbonise IT… by rethinking the liquid?

In this episode, Maarten Trautmann of Oleon joins Robert to unpack why plant-based dielectric fluids aren't just a greener alternative - they may be the key to unlocking waterless, sustainable cooling at the edge, at scale, and across Europe.

From his early fascination with Ireland to leading Oleon's charge into liquid cooling, Maarten shares how Oleon's biodegradable, non-toxic fluids are offering a credible path to closed-loop cooling, heat reuse, and decarbonisation - without compromising performance.

Together, they dive into:

• The surprising history of Oleon (yes, it started with candles)
• Why Europe is missing the mark on incentivising heat reuse
• How immersion cooling adoption is being throttled by warranty fears and retrofitting costs
• Why innovation in cooling is still in full swing - and where consolidation might come next

If you're interested in liquid cooling beyond just AI hype, this one's for you.

🔗 Connect with Maarten: linkedin.com/in/maarten-trautmann-2997a71a 🔗 Connect with Robert: linkedin.com/in/robertussher

Two-phase cooling isn't new - but it's never been more needed.

In this episode, Dr. Richard Bonner of Accelsius joins Robert to unpack how a decades-old thermal principle, once used in industrial processes, is being reimagined to meet the explosive demands of AI and high-power GPUs.

They explore Accelsius' patented two-phase cold plate technology - originally developed at Bell Labs - and how it's being commercialised to deliver unmatched reliability, redundancy, and sustainability. From N+1 pump systems to the role of two-phase in future data center architectures, this episode covers everything from thermal physics to practical deployment strategies.

If you're curious about the roadmap to next-gen cooling, the reality behind liquid vs. immersion, or what's actually going to enable the Rubin generation of chips… this episode is for you.

Connect with Robert: www.linkedin.com/in/robertussher Connect with Richard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbonnerphd/

Craig MacFadyen is back on the podcast - this time fresh from the floor of the OCP Global Summit in Dublin.

In this episode, Craig and Robert dig into the real conversations happening around liquid cooling, hyperscaler expectations, and whether the data center world is preparing for a future that hasn't quite arrived yet.

From CDUs and 500kW rack forecasts to the tension between innovation and affordability, they tackle the practical, the political, and the philosophical challenges facing data center cooling in 2025. Craig also shares his perspective on startup tech, smarter not newer design, and why collaboration still feels more talked about than practiced.

It's an honest, thought-provoking follow-up to Craig's first appearance - don't miss it.

🎧 Topics include:

• Key takeaways from OCP 2025
• The rise of rack density and the "500kW by 2030" challenge
• How hyperscalers are influencing the market—and when adoption will really happen
• The innovation bottleneck caused by NDAs and over-regulation
• What smart design actually looks like in cooling
• The role of power availability and why cloud still dominates over AI

Connect with Robert: www.linkedin.com/in/robertussher Connect with Craig: www.linkedin.com/in/craig-macfadyen-5b4b811a

Is AI truly revolutionising the way we understand clients and employees? Or is it just another buzzword being tossed around?

In this episode, Ryan Scott, Chief Technology Officer at DNA Behavior, joins me to break down the real-world impact of AI in behavioural data analytics. We dive into how DNA Behavior is leveraging AI to predict client behaviour with 70% accuracy - without even requiring a questionnaire. Ryan and I explore the shift towards decentralised AI, the challenges of integrating AI-driven insights into enterprise workflows, and the ethical dilemmas of AI-powered sales intelligence.

As data centres race to support the growing compute demand for AI, will AI factories dominate, or will the future lie in edge computing? And with AI accelerating at an unprecedented pace, what safeguards are needed to ensure responsible development?

From Microsoft's AI-driven infrastructure expansion to the challenges of balancing transparency with competitive advantage, this episode unpacks the key questions shaping AI's future.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on AI, ethics, and where the industry is heading next.

🔗 Connect with Robert: www.linkedin.com/in/robertussher

🔗 Connect with Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanwadescott/

🚨 Microsoft is making waves in the data center world – but not in the way you'd expect.

The tech giant has canceled multiple U.S. data center leases, scaled back international expansion, and reallocated billions in AI spending—but why?

In this quick Hot Take, we break down:

- Microsoft's shifting AI and cloud strategy – is this a cost-saving pivot or something bigger?

• Pre-committed global data center investments getting cut – what's behind the sudden change?
• Is AI infrastructure spending slowing down? Or is this a strategic retreat?
• Apple stepping in – are they about to capitalise on Microsoft's pullback?
• Is this a tech decision… or a political statement?

Something big is brewing in the data center world. Listen now to hear my take on what it all means for AI, cloud, and Big Tech's next moves.

🎧 Tune in and join the conversation: www.linkedin.com/in/robertussher

France and the UAE are making waves with a $30-$50 billion investment in a 1-gigawatt AI data center—but why now, and why Europe? 🇫🇷🇦🇪

With France offering 35 potential sites and the UAE backing the deal, this move signals a shift in AI dominance beyond the US and China. Could this mark the start of Europe's AI infrastructure revolution? And what does this mean for global AI competition?

🎙️ Listen now to hear our take on this game-changing alliance and what it means for the future of AI and data centers.

👉 Join the conversation on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robertussher

How are modular solutions transforming the future of data centers? And what role does engineering heritage play in shaping today's innovations?

In this episode, Robert sits down with Lewis Cobb, Head of Modular Data Centre Projects at Durata, to explore the shift towards modular construction in the data center industry. With a background at Rittal and a deep understanding of mission-critical power, Lewis discusses how Durata is refining modular strategies to provide scalable, efficient, and high-performance solutions.

They delve into Teesside's legacy as "Ironopolis", the increasing demand for prefabricated data center solutions, and the industry's evolving approach to AI-driven workloads, cooling innovations, and program management. From hyperscalers to enterprise deployments, discover why modular construction is gaining traction and how Durata is positioning itself at the forefront of this movement.

🔗 Connect with Robert: www.linkedin.com/in/robertussher

🔗 Connect with Lewis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-cobb-duratamdc/