Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Assistant Professor Lihong Lao has received a research grant from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). With ASHRAE’s support, Lao will study the impact of corrosion on equipment in data centers located in coastal regions. 

Lao’s lab will mimic the conditions of a coastal data center to study how factors like air flow, dry bulb temperature, dew point, humidity, gaseous pollutants and sea salt concentration affect the corrosion levels of copper and silver materials used in IT equipment. 

“Currently, there is little guidance on the optimal environmental conditions for data centers in coastal areas, which can have high humidity and airborne salinity,” explains Lao. “This research project aims to develop guidelines for data center operators that prevent IT equipment failure and make these facilities more resilient.” 

Lao joined the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) in 2024, after completing postdoctoral research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. At ECS, she leads the Environmental Control Materials Lab, which focuses on developing smart materials that help regulate temperature and moisture in both the human body and the built environment. Lao holds a Ph.D. in Polymer and Fiber Science from Cornell University.  

“Congratulations to Lihong on winning this award. This project gives us the opportunity to continue supporting ASHRAE as they advance environmental design guidance for data centers,” says MAE Interim Department Chair and Syracuse Center of Excellence In Environmental and Energy Systems Executive Director Jianshun “Jensen” Zhang. “This award builds on the capability we developed through a previous ASHRAE sponsored project that provided knowledge and data to support the expansion of the acceptable temperature and humidity conditions for data centers, while reducing the risk of IT equipment failure due to corrosion by gaseous pollutants.” 

Lao and Zhang will serve as Co-PIs on the project. Zhang also acknowledged MAE Professor Emeritus and a Member of National Academy of Engineering, Roger Schimdt, who has provided ongoing support to MAE faculty in this area, and helped translate fundamental research into practical design guidelines. 

Founded in 1894, ASHRAE is the world’s largest society of heating, refrigerating and air-conditioning professionals, representing experts from over 130 countries.