Emergence Quantum and AirTrunk are partnering to apply cryogenic cooling technology, traditionally used for quantum computing, to mainstream data center cooling with the goal of reducing water usage and enabling gigawatt-scale renewable energy storage.

The collaboration aims to integrate cryogenic cooling with renewable energy storage, helping data centers absorb intermittent renewables and cut fossil fuel dependence.

AirTrunk intends to make its data centres quantum-ready by embedding cryogenic cooling within campus infrastructure, drawing on expertise in cryogenics, thermal engineering, quantum tech, and data center architecture.

University of Sydney leadership, including Vice-Chancellor Mark Scott, frames the project as advancing environmental milestones and positioning Australia as a leader in AI, quantum tech, and clean data center technologies.

Industry leaders underscore strategic value: AirTrunk’s Robin Khuda highlights Australia’s leadership and partnership potential, while Emergence Quantum co-founders David Reilly and Arman Siahvashi emphasize scaling cryo-computing to data centers and benefits for AI, quantum, and clean tech.

A significant philanthropic component backs the effort, including a $100 million donation to the University of Sydney from the Khuda Family Foundation, signaling strong financial and strategic backing for innovation in this space.

The University of Sydney’s involvement is noted, with Emergence Quantum having spun out from the university in 2025 and the Khuda family foundation’s donation reinforcing translational research translating into commercial technology.

Overall, the collaboration is presented as a strategic, technology-forward effort to accelerate cryogenic data center deployment and position Australia as a leader in quantum-enabled infrastructure.

Proponents, including Emergence Quantum co-founders David Reilly and Thomas Ohki, argue that cryogenic cooling is becoming economically viable due to higher transistor density and greater heat loads in modern data centers.

Industry and academic voices, including Ohki and University leadership, emphasize environmental milestones, local expertise, and the need for scalable cryo-infrastructure to impact broad digital infrastructure.

The collaboration leverages Australia’s strengths in cryogenics, LNG, liquid hydrogen, and abundant renewables to create a new generation of cryogenic data centers addressing heat from dense silicon chips.

Emergence Quantum’s focus on cryogenic control systems and electronics, initially for scaling quantum systems, positions the company to adapt solutions for conventional data center cooling and heat management.