Johnson Controls’ YORK YDAM data centre cooling solution has been named to TIME’s 2026 Best Inventions list, which recognises 300 innovations across multiple categories.
Announced on Oct. 15, 2026, the recognition places the cooling technology in the artificial intelligence category, reflecting the growing need for infrastructure capable of supporting expanding AI workloads.
Introduced in 2026, YORK YDAM features a compact, air-cooled design that does not require on-site water for cooling. The system is designed to help data centre operators manage increasing cooling requirements while using less physical space.
As AI applications expand, data centres face increasing demands for cooling capacity, energy management and efficient use of facility space. Cooling systems are an important part of supporting high-density computing infrastructure.
Johnson Controls said the YORK YDAM solution is intended to help customers respond to these requirements through a design that combines cooling performance with reduced on-site water use.
The recognition highlights the role of thermal management technologies in developing data centre infrastructure for AI applications. Johnson Controls provides building systems, thermal management, energy efficiency and decarbonisation solutions for customers across multiple industries.
Source: Johnson Controls.
