Science & Technology
Here Comes the Trillion-Dollar Active Cooling Market
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It is a no-brainer that global warming already upon us and it creates massive markets for active (powered) cooling. But there is even more ahead, including many new forms of battery, medical, microchip and other active cooling. It is all scoped in the new 285-page Zhar Research report “Active Cooling: Large New Materials, Systems Markets 2023-2043” with 98 new infograms, tables and images, 28 forecasts 2023-2043 and six SWOT appraisals. Because the pace is increasing, a high proportion of the inputs for this report come from 2023
Creating new markets for active cooling, the authors anticipate future higher-power, more-compact data centers, planned massive base stations for 6G communication, large cryogenic air facilities for delayed electricity and much else. Predicted one kilowatt processor chips will demand precision active cooling and there is even active cooling arriving in smartphones.
New cooling challenges include more people living in deserts as population rises and desertification increases. Emerging countries are mostly tropical. They demand far more refrigerators, freezers and air conditioning. The now-rapid adoption of electric vehicles land, water and air demands climate control and sophisticated active cooling of battery, motors and power electronics.
Another megatrend is the move to renewable energy – mostly solar and wind – with chronic intermittency compensated by TWh levels of energy storage, increasingly 6 hours to seasonal Long Duration Energy Storage LDES. Here options with potentially much lower Levelised Cost of Storage LCOS than batteries become important. They include compressed air, liquid air and maybe hydrogen for electricity-to-electricity storage. Together with the giant energy storage batteries for grids, they all need a great deal of cooling. Indeed, for the lowest temperatures, cryogenics demand increases for liquid air LDES, the hydrogen economy, MRI scanners, skin cancer treatments and many other emerging medical applications. It will also enable more superconductivity in engineering.
Wherever you look, new, large markets for active cooling materials and systems are arriving. The largest expenditure will be on the strongest forms such as direct liquid cooling of structural batteries in those electric vehicles but also data centers.
The incumbent vapor-compression and piped-liquid cooling continue to involve global warming, flammability, leakage, size, cost, location and toxicity issues though to a declining extent. In particular, improved refrigerants are rapidly being adopted. However, in taking the necessary twenty year view, the report reveals that breakthroughs such as solid-state cooling will create many billion-dollar companies in an active market that will exceed one trillion dollars within twenty years. That is even after forecasting a global recession crimping initial sales growth. Solid state active cooling arrivals will include electrocaloric cooling and thermoelectrics reinvented, both closely analysed.
Making pumped immersion cooling a mainstream success is another huge opportunity, given that the newer needs are often poorly met by currently-popular technologies. Meanwhile, vapor-compression serves around 75% of value market despite considerable shortcomings. Its use rises with the air conditioner, chiller, freezer and refrigerator markets.
Dr Peter Harrop, CEO of Zhar Research advises,
“Many of the gaps in the market are rather nuanced. For example, a high proportion of formulations in the research pipeline involve toxic precursors and, during wrongful disposal or leakage, toxic by-products. For example, most of the electrocaloric materials researched involve lead or fluoropolymers. Other forms of caloric cooling and proposed electrochemical cooling rarely have that problem. We need more emphasis on solid state cooling and cleaner materials. In particular, the rapid adoption of refrigerants of lower global warming potential GWP needs to be matched by being non-flammable not just less flammable. On the other hand, ethylene carbonate could actually be carbon-negative because you produce it by using carbon dioxide as an input.”
He sees wrong research emphasis with thermoelectrics noting,
“Thermoelectrics are being reinvented but most researchers seek to optimise the figure of merit. Sadly that can lead to the opposite of the required low-cost, high-power (rather than high power density), green systems that much of the market so desperately needs.”
He adds,
“Beyond that, of the plethora of new active cooling options arriving, from switchable optofluidics to chip immersion cooling, industrialists must identify which will remain little more than party tricks and which will be the basis of billion-dollar new operations. They must invest early in the best ones.”
The image gives a Zhar Research estimation of the active-cooling hardware market in 2043. Thermoelectric coolers are a technology rather than an application but they largely represent cooling of increasingly-popular lasers, scientific instruments and other applications not otherwise represented. Chillers are large scale heat removal units typically involving vapor compression and heat absorption. The image is taken from the comprehensive Zhar Research report “Active Cooling: Large New Materials, Systems Markets 2023-2043.”
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Science & Technology
Momentum Builds to Curb AI Development Amid Safety Concerns
Tech leaders advocate for slowing AI progress to mitigate risks and ensure safety.
On Saturday, September 12, 2026, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published an essay titled “We Must Pace the Frontier”, calling on the AI industry to deliberately slow the development of its most advanced models. He proposed a three-part plan, starting with giving independent third-party evaluators “employee-like access” to developers’ internal work. Within hours, xAI owner Elon Musk posted “Dario is right,” and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he agreed the industry needed to “pace the frontier”, committing OpenAI to welcome independent evaluators. The rare alignment reflects a burgeoning movement within the technology community. The aim is to ensure that AI advancement does not outpace the necessary safety measures that must be in place to protect society. Musk, known for his outspoken concerns regarding AI, has been vocal about the potential existential threats posed by unchecked AI development. His stance is not without precedent. In past years, he has been an advocate for AI regulation, emphasizing the importance of establishing robust safety protocols. Sam Altman shares this concern. As a key figure in AI innovation, Altman’s support for decelerating AI progress highlights the industry’s internal awareness of its own vulnerabilities. Altman has been instrumental in shaping AI discussions, both as a developer and a policymaker. His involvement underscores a critical shift in perspective among those who once championed AI’s limitless potential.
Amodei’s essay warned that AI capabilities had been advancing drastically faster since the summer, and argued that buying even an extra year or two to work on alignment could greatly reduce the risk of something going seriously wrong. As CEO of Anthropic, Amodei’s insights into AI’s capabilities are profound. He has long advocated for responsible AI development, emphasizing research into AI safety and alignment. His company, Anthropic, is at the forefront of AI safety research, making his voice particularly influential. Amodei’s concerns are grounded in the belief that AI systems need to be designed with alignment and transparency as core principles. The consensus among these leaders is clear. The pace of AI development must be moderated to prevent potential societal disruptions. The public discourse around AI safety has evolved significantly over the past few years. Initially, concerns were often dismissed as speculative or alarmist. However, as AI systems become more integrated into daily life, their impact is undeniable. From autonomous vehicles to intelligent personal assistants, AI technologies influence countless aspects of modern existence. The rapid integration has outpaced regulatory frameworks, leaving gaps that could potentially be exploited.
This movement to slow AI development is gaining traction within the tech community. It reflects a deeper understanding of the potential risks and ethical considerations that come with advanced AI systems. Industry leaders are increasingly aware of their responsibility to mitigate these risks. There is a growing consensus that more comprehensive safety measures and regulatory oversight are necessary. The call for a slowdown is not a demand to halt innovation. Rather, it is a plea for a more deliberate approach to AI development. The goal is to establish a regulatory framework that prioritizes safety, ethical considerations, and long-term societal impact. This approach seeks to ensure that AI technologies are developed responsibly and with foresight. The motivation behind this push is multifaceted. At its core is the desire to prevent unintended consequences that could arise from unchecked AI advancement. These include potential job displacement, privacy concerns, and the risk of AI systems being used for malicious purposes. The tech industry is increasingly aware that the societal implications of AI are vast and complex. There is a recognition that addressing these challenges requires collaboration across sectors and disciplines.
The momentum to slow AI development also reflects a shift in how technology leaders view their role in society. There is a growing acknowledgment that technological innovation must be balanced with ethical responsibility. This recognition is driving the call for more stringent safety protocols and regulatory oversight. As the debate around AI continues, the voices advocating for caution are becoming more prominent. The movement is gaining momentum, supported by influential figures and organizations committed to ensuring that AI development proceeds safely and responsibly. The challenge now is translating this momentum into actionable policies and frameworks. Governments and regulatory bodies must work closely with industry leaders to develop comprehensive guidelines that address the unique challenges posed by AI. This collaboration is essential to fostering innovation while safeguarding societal interests. The path forward requires a collective effort to balance progress with prudence. As AI continues to evolve, the need for thoughtful and responsible development becomes increasingly critical. The calls to slow down AI development are a testament to the industry’s commitment to navigating this complex terrain with care.
The journey ahead is not without challenges. Implementing effective regulatory measures will require cooperation and consensus among diverse stakeholders. However, the growing momentum to address AI safety concerns offers hope for a future where technological advancement is aligned with societal well-being. As industry leaders and policymakers work together, there is potential to shape a future where AI technologies enhance, rather than disrupt, the fabric of society. The commitment to responsible AI development is key to ensuring that AI technologies are harnessed for the greater good. This forward-thinking approach will be crucial in defining the next chapter of AI innovation. The momentum to slow down AI development is more than a precautionary measure. It is a strategic decision to prioritize safety, ethics, and long-term impact. As the conversation around AI continues to evolve, the focus on responsible development will remain at the forefront. The future of AI depends on the choices made today. By embracing a more measured approach, the tech community can pave the way for a future where AI serves humanity’s best interests.
Science & Technology
Quantum Computing Breakthroughs: Disrupting Industries with Oxford’s Innovations
A recent breakthrough in quantum computing at the University of Oxford promises to disrupt multiple industries by significantly enhancing computational capabilities. Explore the technological implications and potential disruptions poised to redefine sectors.
In May 2026, the University of Oxford announced a significant breakthrough in the field of quantum computing, unveiling an advanced error correction algorithm that has the potential to transform computational capabilities. This development is not just a scientific triumph; it heralds a new era of technological disruption across multiple industries. Quantum computing, long anticipated as the next frontier in technology, promises to solve complex problems beyond the reach of classical computers, and Oxford’s latest advancement brings this closer to reality.
At the core of this breakthrough is the enhancement in quantum error correction, a critical component that addresses the inherent instability of qubits, which are the fundamental units of quantum information. Traditional computers use bits of 0s and 1s, but quantum computers operate on qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This superposition allows quantum computers to process information exponentially faster than classical computers. However, qubits are notoriously prone to errors due to environmental noise and operational inaccuracies. Oxford’s new algorithm significantly improves the error correction process, maintaining qubit stability longer and allowing extended computational tasks to be performed accurately.
The implications of this are profound. Industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to finance stand on the cusp of disruption as quantum computing offers the ability to model complex molecular structures, optimize large-scale financial portfolios, and even revolutionize artificial intelligence algorithms. In pharmaceuticals, for example, quantum computing can expedite drug discovery by accurately simulating molecular interactions, potentially reducing the time and cost associated with bringing new drugs to market. Similarly, in finance, quantum algorithms can optimize trading strategies and risk management with a precision unattainable by current technologies.
Moreover, the ripple effects of such a leap in computational power extend to data encryption and cybersecurity. Quantum computers possess the potential to decrypt classical encryption methods, prompting a race for quantum-resistant cryptography. This necessitates a paradigm shift in how we secure digital information, affecting every sector that relies on data security.
Despite the tremendous promise, the transition to quantum computing is not without its challenges. The infrastructure required to support quantum technologies is expensive and complex. There is also a significant skills gap; experts in quantum computing are scarce, and training a new generation of scientists and engineers is imperative. Furthermore, ethical considerations regarding the power of quantum computing must be addressed, particularly in terms of privacy and security.
Looking forward, as quantum computing continues to evolve, industries will need to adapt swiftly to harness its capabilities. Early adopters who invest in quantum technologies and develop quantum-ready strategies will likely dominate in the coming decade. As Oxford’s breakthrough demonstrates, the race is on to fully realize the potential of quantum computing and redefine the boundaries of what is technologically possible.
Science & Technology
Apple’s AI Innovations: Shaping the Competitive Landscape in 2026
Apple’s latest advancements in artificial intelligence are setting the stage for a competitive showdown with other tech giants. This article explores how Apple’s AI strategy is positioning the company in the fast-evolving tech landscape.
In the bustling realm of technology, few companies command as much attention as Apple. In 2026, the Silicon Valley titan has once again captured the tech world’s gaze with its latest advances in artificial intelligence. As Apple unveils a suite of AI-driven innovations, the competitive landscape is poised for a seismic shift.
Apple’s strategic focus on AI is not merely about introducing new features but is a calculated move to redefine user experiences while maintaining its staunch advocacy for privacy. At the heart of Apple’s AI initiatives is the promise of personalization—an AI that learns and adapts to the user’s preferences, offering seamless interaction across its range of devices. This focus is especially pertinent in an era where user data is a hot commodity, and privacy concerns are at an all-time high.
What sets Apple apart in the AI race is its dual emphasis on innovation and privacy. While competitors like Google and Amazon have long been heralded for their AI prowess, often prioritizing expansive data collection to fuel their AI engines, Apple has carved out a niche by leveraging on-device processing. This approach not only mitigates privacy risks but also enhances real-time responsiveness, a crucial factor in user satisfaction.
The competitive implications of Apple’s AI advancements are profound. Google’s AI, renowned for its search and recommendation algorithms, faces a formidable challenger in Apple’s ecosystem-centric approach. Meanwhile, Amazon’s Alexa, which dominates the smart assistant market, must contend with Apple’s Siri, now equipped with enhanced contextual understanding and predictive capabilities.
Microsoft, another major player, has been making strides with its integration of AI in cloud services and productivity tools. However, Apple’s holistic approach—integrating AI across hardware, software, and services—presents a cohesive strategy that is difficult to replicate. This integration not only ensures a seamless user experience but also reinforces brand loyalty, a cornerstone of Apple’s business model.
As AI continues to evolve, the stakes in the tech industry are higher than ever. Apple’s innovations are not just about keeping pace but are strategically designed to place the company at the forefront of the AI revolution. In doing so, Apple is not only safeguarding its market position but is also setting new benchmarks in how technology can enhance and secure our digital lives.
The road ahead will undoubtedly see further advancements and competition, but Apple’s current trajectory suggests it is well-positioned to lead in the AI domain. By prioritizing user-centric design and privacy, Apple is not just participating in the AI race; it is setting the pace.
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