Vespertec Brings Immersion Cooling Technology to Durham University in Collaboration with Midas
Through the partnership, Vespertec delivers a new high-performance computing capability to Durham University to support advanced research workloads
Stockport, UK, 9th September, 2025 — Vesper Technologies (Vespertec), a leading data centre infrastructure specialist, today announced the deployment of a cutting-edge 50U XCI immersion cooling solution from Midas Immersion Cooling at Durham University – bringing pioneering cooling technology into a fully-operational, research grade platform.
The installation forms part of Durham’s Immersion Cooling and Heat Storage (ICHS) Living Lab – a research initiative exploring how immersion cooling can be paired with seasonal heat storage. In this first deployment, the Midas 50U XCI system, integrated by Vespertec, will support graduates running some of the university’s most compute-intensive workloads, from complex simulations to large-scale AI processing.
Working in partnership with Durham’s IT and facilities teams, Vespertec designed and delivered a system tailored to the university’s exacting performance and sustainability requirements. Alongside the immersion tank, the project integrates specialist hardware from GIGABYTE, advanced cooling fluids from Valvoline Global designed to efficiently transfer heat and enable immersion cooling, and system architecture tuned for Durham’s research needs – contributing to and showcasing a cohesive, next-gen high performance computing environment.
At its core, Midas’ 50U XCI unit replaces the need for rows of air-cooled racks with a single, compact tank capable of handling the heat output of an ultra-dense compute cluster. By immersing hardware in the liquid cooling fluid – which transfers heat more efficiently than air – the system can dramatically cut the energy needed for cooling, freeing capacity for the compute itself. For Durham, that means running demanding workloads at full performance without the same overheads or environmental cost.
The next deployment of the project will incorporate heat recapture, creating a live testbed for sustainable innovation.
Vespertec’s dedicated AI Lab in Stockport, which was launched late last year, mirrors customer environments with scaled-down versions of live deployments – including the same Midas immersion cooling setup now in place in Durham. This investment has allowed Vespertec to replicate the conditions of the installation, ensuring the team can provide the highest level of ongoing support, delivering rapid, informed outcomes throughout the system’s lifecycle.
Commenting on the partnership, Scott Constable, Alliance Director at Vespertec said:
“This partnership is a great example of how academia and industry can come together to tackle both computational and environmental challenges. Together with Durham University, we were able to demonstrate the potential of Midas’ immersion technology in a research environment and establish a concrete reference point for others exploring new ways to cut CO₂ impact and advance data centre innovation. Our goal is to take these learnings to the wider market, and Durham’s collaborative approach makes them a great partner for what’s to come!”
Scott Sickmiller, CEO at Midas Immersion Cooling said:
“This deployment at Durham University marks a significant milestone for Midas, as we expand our presence in the UK. By combining our immersion technology with integration partners like Vespertec, we’re helping universities like Durham push the boundaries of high-performance research while growing sustainable IT operations.”
Dr. George Zhang, Vice President of R&D at Valvoline Global said: “This deployment is about enabling cutting-edge technology for demanding research workloads while demonstrating paths to sustainability. In collaboration with Midas’ immersion technology and Vespertec infrastructure expertise, Valvoline Global’s advanced fluids help make immersion cooling practical at scale, supported by the expertise and commitment of our team throughout the process.”
For more information about Vesper Technologies visit www.vespertechnologies.com.
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About Vespertec:
Vespertec is a specialist in the design, configuration, delivery and support of open, high performance data centre infrastructure. Using new and innovative technologies in compute, networking and storage, we provide data centre solutions that accelerate performance, maximise interoperability, simplify management, scale smoothly, and reduce total cost of ownership. Applying deep knowledge of data centres, open standards and disruptive technology, Vespertec offers its clients impartial, honest and tailored advice to help them consolidate hardware and optimise performance. Vespertec is also a specialist in data centre logistics with extensive experience of project managing the delivery of data centre infrastructure around the world, including to countries with complex logistical and taxation regulations. For more information visit www.vespertec.com
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Resonance for Vespertec
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About Midas Immersion Cooling
With over 4,000 tanks deployed worldwide, 500+ MW of patented immersion-cooling capacity, and proven performance on GPUs like NVIDIA A100 and H100, Midas delivers plug-and-play immersion systems engineered for the demands of AI, HPC, and crypto. Our technology enables significant energy savings and space reduction versus air-cooled designs, while built-in redundancy simplifies operations at scale. From research institutions to enterprise data centres, Midas provides future-ready cooling that boosts density, shrinks footprint, and reduces environmental impact. For more information visit www.midasimmersion.com
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Midas Immersion Cooling
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About Valvoline Global™ Global Operations
Valvoline Global, the creator of the world’s first branded motor oil is powering the next generation of mobility through innovation for customers in 140+ countries and at more than 80,000 points of distribution. A worldwide leader in future-ready automotive and industrial solutions and best-in-class services for partners around the globe, our legacy of firsts spans nearly 160 years.
With solutions available for every engine and drivetrain, from high-mileage and heavy-duty to electric vehicles, Valvoline Global is inventing the way forward for mobility and beyond, expanding its heat transfer solutions to high performance computing.
Together with our parent company Aramco, one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, we are driving unparalleled product innovation and sustainable business solutions for what the future holds – on and off the road.
Learn more by following us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.™ Trademark, Valvoline Global or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries.
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Valvoline Global Operations
Britney Sage, Sr. Global Communications Manager
100 Valvoline Global Way
Lexington, KY 40509
USA
