The proposed PhD thesis aims to improve the understanding and modeling of convective boiling phenomena in microchannels for new low-environmental-impact refrigerants. The candidate will adopt a combined experimental and multi-scale modeling approach, including the design of a test bench simulating the behavior of a micro-evaporator, the implementation of CFD simulations (ANSYS Fluent, CATHARE) to describe two-phase flow regimes, and the evaluation of various eco-friendly alternative fluids. The expected outcomes include, for each of these new fluids, the characterization of confined boiling mechanisms, the development of a predictive heat transfer model, and the proposal of innovative cooling solutions.

The growing demand for high-performance computing, driven by artificial intelligence and cloud technologies, leads to a significant increase in power dissipation in electronic chips. Current single-phase cooling technologies are reaching their limits when dealing with heat fluxes exceeding 100 W/cm². Two-phase cooling, based on fluid boiling to remove heat, can achieve much higher heat transfer performance than single-phase systems while reducing overall energy consumption. The results of this research will contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable cooling solutions for future data centers, helping to reduce the digital sector’s energy footprint and strengthen European technological sovereignty in advanced cooling technologies.