The University of Maryland welcomed students, faculty, industry partners, and National Science Foundation colleagues for EARTH Industry Day and a successful NSF Engineering Research Center site visit. The events highlighted progress toward sustainable refrigerants and more energy-efficient cooling systems, bringing university research into conversation with the practical needs of industry.

Prof. Damena Agonafer moderated the panel “Data Center Owners & Operators: Meeting Demand.” Panelists included Scott Tease of AMD; Patrick McCluskey of the University of Maryland; Eric Wachsman of the University of Maryland and ION Storage Systems; John Peterson of Green Data Center Guide; and Sean Abbott of Oracle.

The discussion explored how rising computing demand is shaping data center design, cooling, water use, power, and waste heat recovery. Connecting these operating challenges with university research is an important step toward developing technologies that industry can adopt.

Prof. Agonafer recognized the support and engagement of UMD President Darryll Pines and A. James Clark School of Engineering Dean Samuel Graham, along with the departmental leadership of Patrick McCluskey and Ichiro Takeuchi. He also thanked EARTH Director Mark Shiflett and Deputy Director Jen Schaefer for guiding collaboration across the center’s partner institutions.

The NEIT Lab celebrates the students whose preparation, research, and enthusiasm contributed to the visit, and thanks the industry partners, NSF review team, faculty, staff, and organizers who made the events possible. Their shared efforts are advancing sustainable cooling research and its connection to real-world needs.