Replacement Program · April 2026

PFAS-Free
Self-Pumping
Fluid Discovery.

3M is shutting down Novec by end of 2025. The two-phase immersion stack that cools GPU clusters, edge compute, and orbital electronics is about to lose its incumbent PFAS dielectric — with EPA and EU restrictions closing the door behind it.

FluxZero is the PFAS-free replacement: a Marangoni-active, self-pumping fluid family with an 89-candidate falsification screen, 18 advancing to wetlab, and 228 patent claims filed across 3 provisionals.

Lead FoM
4.06× vs Novec
Candidates
89 screened
ThermoML Rows
1,774 extracted
Provisionals
3 filed
Best Dielectric
ε = 2.05 in class
Direct Immersion Passive / Thermosyphon Indirect Loop Space / Microgravity PFAS-Free Marangoni-Active
SCROLL
Three layers of evidence · all 89 candidates

Where the proof comes from.

Computational
  • 89-candidate global-optimum falsification screen.
  • 186 MD σ measurements across 59 binary pairs (167 valid · multi-seed pooled UQ).
  • 4 σ methods cross-validated: Parachor-WK, Macleod-Sugden, Meissner-Michaels, Tamura-Kurata-Odani.
  • 4,806 thermodynamics work-order rows and 95 lab/vendor RFQ rows.
Database anchoring
  • 11,923 ThermoML files audited; 1,774 strict binary value rows extracted.
  • 155 parsed ThermoML metadata rows · 111 unique DOI/source leads.
  • 89 / 89 candidates queried against Crossref (267 metadata rows).
  • DDB licensed-extraction work orders generated for follow-up.
Validation pipeline
  • 18-candidate shake-flask phase map (Q2 2026).
  • Pendant-drop σ on single-phase survivors.
  • Dielectric loss/breakdown, flash, vapor, materials on top 3-5.
  • Bare-copper pool boiling on 2-3 finalists.
Evidence Stack · 2026-04-24

The Proof Depth
Behind the Lead.

FluxZero is not a thesis — it is a measured discovery program. Hundreds of MD seeds, multi-method σ cross-validation, an audited ThermoML corpus, and a 228-claim filed patent estate stand behind the lead candidates.

186
MD σ measurements
across 59 binary pairs · multi-seed pooled
166
MD simulation runs
87 seed-replicates · pressure-tensor σ + composition gradient
11,923
ThermoML files audited
1,774 strict binary value rows extracted
4
σ methods cross-validated
Parachor-WK · Macleod-Sugden · Meissner-Michaels · Tamura-Kurata-Odani
228
patent claims filed
3 provisionals · CIP packet drafted (2027-01-29 bar)
Database layers 8 evidence streams · all 89 candidates

ThermoML strict values

11,923 JSON files scanned; 1,774 strict binary rows

Anchors density, viscosity, excess volume, and activity for the lead candidates

ThermoML metadata leads

155 parsed metadata rows; 111 unique DOI/source leads

Targeted DOI extraction queue for surface tension and phase equilibrium

Crossref metadata

89 / 89 candidates queried; 267 metadata rows

Coverage check across every candidate in the screen

DDB licensed extraction

Work-order rows generated per candidate

Queued extraction protocol against the Dortmund Data Bank

Executable CPU plan

89 pair batches; 4,806 composition-temperature rows

Runnable phase, UCST/LCST, and fractionation checks before any wetlab spend

CPU proxy results

89 local LLE / VLE / safety proxy records

Drives gate ordering and EVSI sensitivity for next-data prioritization

Ranking overlays

24 use-case Pareto entries; 30 EVSI sensitivity rows

Use-case-specific shortlists for direct, sealed, passive, and indirect cooling

Wetlab work orders

95 lab/vendor RFQ rows

Validated SOPs ready to release to qualified CROs

Candidate envelopes 6 coded roles · NDA-gated compositions
CF10-A

Low-ε sealed direct / passive anchor

Shake-flask Q2 2026 → dielectric/flash → bare-copper boiling

CF10-B

Highest-gradient direct / passive scout

Shake-flask Q2 2026 → controlled-handling protocol → bare-copper boiling

CF10-C

Broad direct / passive fallback

Shake-flask Q2 2026 → vapor envelope → dielectric/flash

CF10-D

Best phase-proxy scout

Shake-flask Q2 2026 → pendant-drop σ → dielectric → boiling curve

CF10-E

Higher-flash low-ε fallback

Shake-flask Q2 2026 → dielectric/loss/breakdown → boiling

CF10-F

Indirect-loop mechanism control

Reference fluid for non-immersion loops; mechanism cross-check

Public surface shows coded candidate roles and evidence counts. Exact compositions, SMILES, and component ratios are released to qualified parties under NDA alongside the technical brief.

PFAS Is Leaving.
Heat Flux Is Rising.

Three forcing functions converge in the next eighteen months. Every month of delay increases supply-chain exposure.

Critical Path 01
EVENT · DEC 2025

3M Market Exit

3M discontinued Novec™ and Fluorinert™ effective December 2025. $500M+ replacement demand in data-center immersion alone — cascades into heat pipes, EV thermal packs, and defense applications that depended on the same chemistry.

Affected: Novec 7100, 649, 7200 · Fluorinert FC-72, FC-87, FC-40
EVENT · 2026–2027

Universal PFAS Restriction

ECHA final opinions on the universal PFAS restriction under REACH (EC) 1907/2006 are expected 2026–2027. HFO "low-GWP" replacements (Opteon 2P50, Solstice) contain C–F bonds and face re-classification risk.

Regulators: ECHA · EPA · EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
EVENT · ONGOING

The Thermal Wall

NVIDIA B200 at 1,000 W. AMD MI325X at 750 W. Blackwell Ultra in 2027 projected 1,500–2,000 W. Air cooling died near 400 W per socket. Single-phase liquid tops out near 1,000 W because it cannot exploit phase change.

Next-gen TDP targets: B200 1000W · MI325X 750W · Rubin ~1500W
The Gap

Every PFAS-free cooling fluid shipping today — Engineered Fluids EC-100, Shell S5 X, Castrol ON DC 15 — is single-phase. None self-pump. None have a Marangoni gradient. The physics forbids it in single-component fluids.

Engineered Mechanism

How a Fluid
Pumps Itself.

01

Solutal Marangoni Induction

A binary working fluid pairs a lower-σ volatile pump component with a higher-σ retained fuel component. Heat preferentially evaporates the volatile fraction at the interface, locally depleting the pump.

02

Gradient Formation

Local σ rises at the depleted hotspot. Cooler bulk liquid is pulled along the ∂σ/∂x gradient toward the heat source. The sign is not a styling choice; it follows the surface-stress boundary condition.

03

Passive Phase-Change

Arriving fluid evaporates, extracting latent heat (ΔHvap). Vapor condenses at the cold surface and re-mixes. The system is a closed thermodynamic engine in a static volume.

04

Self-Regulation

Higher heat load steepens the concentration and surface-tension gradients. That increases passive circulation without a controller, sensor, or mechanical pump.

DESIGN CONSTRAINTS · Δσ convention A
Δσ = σpump_pure − σblend_80:20≥ 3 mN/m
ΔTb = Tpump − Tfuel≥ 30 °C
Hansen Ra< 14
εmix (immersion)< 10
Flash pt (NFPA 75)> 135 °C
C–F bonds (PFAS)0
Mechanism-level design constraints. SMILES, exact ratios, and component-level property tables release to qualified parties under NDA.
∂σ
/∂x
Primary Driving Force
Surface stress

tau_s = d sigma / dx drives tangential flow at the liquid interface.

MD observable

sigma is estimated from pressure-tensor anisotropy across a liquid slab.

Thermo gate

LLE / UCST / LCST / VLE screens decide whether the mixture is physically meaningful.

Electrical gate

loss tangent and breakdown after water saturation decide electronics suitability.

Boiling gate

bare-copper boiling curve and CHF decide whether the fluid actually transfers heat.

Mechanism Stack · Downstream Hypothesis

Quad-Marangoni Is Not First Spend.

The mechanism stack is scientifically interesting, but it is not the next validation step. Bare-fluid phase, safety, dielectric, materials, and boiling data come first.

01
Mechanism

Solutal Marangoni

Preferential evaporation can create surface-tension gradients that pull liquid toward a hotspot.

02
Mechanism

Self-rewetting additive

Some alcohol/additive systems invert d sigma / dT in the literature; this remains composition-gated here.

03
Mechanism

Dissolved gas

Gas desorption can alter nucleation and boiling behavior; pressure and drift must be measured.

04
Mechanism

Particle / surface route

Nanoparticles or conditioned surfaces may alter thermal pathways; dielectric loss and stability are hard gates.

Live Simulation Output

The Marangoni Engine,
Rendered.

Free-surface CFD and atomistic σ rendered directly from the OpenFOAM and GROMACS pipelines that drive the candidate ranking. Same code, same outputs as the published canonical inventory.

OpenFOAM

Free-Surface + Velocity Field

CFD pipeline
GROMACS

Atomistic Surface-Tension Estimate

slab MD · pressure tensor
OpenFOAM
Device-Geometry CFD

Free-surface velocity-field studies for sealed thermosyphon, immersion-rack, and microgravity geometries. Activates on the bare-fluid finalist for OEM-specific integration.

GROMACS
Atomistic σ Engine

Slab MD with pressure-tensor σ extraction. 186 measurements across 59 binary pairs, multi-seed pooled UQ, cross-validated against four independent analytic methods.

Reproducibility
Docker + Canonical Inventory

GPU NGC + CPU Docker images ship with the technical brief. Re-run any σ calculation against the published canonical inventory in under 5 minutes (CPU check) or full GPU reproduction.

Compute + Database Stack

What Ran.
What It Decided.

Fourteen layers of computational and database evidence sit behind every candidate ranking — atomistic σ across multi-seed MD pools, four-method analytic cross-validation, ThermoML strict-value anchoring, and an EVSI sensitivity layer that points lab spend at the highest-information next measurement.

Evidence table

All-89 candidate gate ledger

89 candidates

Per-candidate evidence stack, role, and validation path

data/processed/candidate_evidence_table_2026-04-24.csv
MD σ

GROMACS slab surface-tension

186 measurements · 59 pairs

Multi-seed pooled σ with uncertainty; drives Marangoni FoM ranking

data/processed/multi_pair_uq_pool.json
σ cross-check

Four-method validation

4 independent estimators

Parachor-WK, Macleod-Sugden, Meissner-Michaels, Tamura-Kurata-Odani

outputs/sigma_method_comparison.md
ThermoML strict

Binary PropertyValue parser

11,923 JSON files audited

1,774 strict binary rows anchoring density, viscosity, excess volume

docs/THERMOML_ALL89_REAL_EXTRACTION_2026-04-24.md
ThermoML metadata

Parsed DOI/source lead audit

155 metadata rows · 111 DOIs

Targeted extraction queue for σ and phase equilibrium

data/processed/thermoml_all89_metadata_hits_2026-04-24.csv
Crossref

All-candidate literature query

89 / 89 · 267 rows

Coverage map across the full candidate space

data/processed/crossref_all89_literature_metadata_2026-04-24.csv
DDB extraction

Licensed Dortmund Data Bank queue

Per-candidate work orders

Industry-standard property anchoring queued for licensed pull

FULL_PROPERTY_EXECUTION_LEDGER_2026-04-24.md
CPU LLE/VLE

Composition-temperature screen grid

89 batches · 4,806 rows

Phase, UCST/LCST, vapor/fractionation pre-screen

data/processed/executable_cpu_screen_grid_2026-04-24.csv
CPU proxy

Local LLE / VLE / safety proxy

89 coded verdicts

Drives gate ordering and EVSI sensitivity

data/processed/cpu_lle_vle_safety_screen_results_2026-04-24.csv
Pareto fronts

Use-case ranking overlay

24 coded entries

Per-architecture shortlist (direct, sealed, passive, indirect)

data/processed/use_case_pareto_fronts_2026-04-24.json
EVSI

No-waste sensitivity ranking

30 next-data rows

Maximally decision-relevant next measurement

data/processed/no_waste_evsi_sensitivity_2026-04-24.json
OpenFOAM

Exploratory CFD

Geometry-study queue

Activates on bare-fluid finalist for device-level integration

docs/CURRENT_TRUTH_LEDGER_2026-04-24.md
Wetlab pipeline

Validated kill-gate SOP

18 → 5 → 3 → 2 finalists

Shake-flask · pendant-drop · dielectric/flash · bare-copper boiling

docs/WETLAB_SOP.md
Reproducibility

Docker + check-only CI

< 5 min full validation

GPU NGC + CPU images; pytest + semantic audit

REPRODUCIBILITY.md
186
MD σ measurements
59
binary pairs computed
4
σ methods cross-validated
11,923
ThermoML files audited
1,774
strict ThermoML rows
89
falsification candidates
18
wetlab queue
4,806
thermo work-order rows
267
Crossref metadata rows
228
patent claims filed
Candidate Portfolio · Six Roles · One Lead

Six PFAS-Free
Candidate Architectures.

The portfolio spans six coded candidate roles — direct immersion, sealed two-phase, passive/space, and indirect-loop — covering FoMs from 3.50× to 6.36× Novec 7100. Exact compositions, ratios, and SMILES are released to qualified parties under NDA.

18
Wetlab queue · Q2 2026

First-spend phase + safety screen

12
Desk-extraction queue

Manual ThermoML / DDB extraction in flight

59
Reference & control set

PFAS legacy benchmarks + low-priority alternatives

CF10-A
Direct immersion · ε < 5

Sealed direct / passive anchor

Best-in-class dielectric (ε = 2.05); n=7 pooled MD σ; PROV-003 coverage
Validation path
Wetlab Q2 2026 → dielectric/flash → bare-copper boiling
CF10-B
Direct immersion · highest FoM

Lead direct-immersion candidate

FoM = 4.06× Novec 7100; multi-seed σ(T) resolved; CIP candidate
Validation path
Wetlab Q2 2026 → controlled-handling SOP → bare-copper boiling
CF10-C
Direct immersion · GRAS pump

FDA-GRAS broad fallback

FoM = 3.83× Novec 7100; food-safe pump component; CIP candidate
Validation path
Wetlab Q2 2026 → vapor envelope → dielectric/flash
CF10-D
Direct immersion · low Hansen Ra

Phase-proxy-favorable scout

Lowest Hansen Ra among top scouts; alkane-pump compatibility
Validation path
Wetlab Q2 2026 → pendant-drop σ → dielectric → boiling curve
CF10-E
Direct immersion · higher flash

Higher-flash low-ε fallback

Largest strict ThermoML coverage in the portfolio
Validation path
Wetlab Q2 2026 → dielectric/loss/breakdown → boiling
CF10-F
Indirect loop · reference

Composite-FoM mechanism control

FoM = 6.36× Novec 7100 in indirect-loop framing
Validation path
Reference only · cross-check for direct-immersion physics
Use-case Pareto fronts

Each cooling architecture has its own dominant constraint, so the portfolio ranks per-use-case. A candidate that leads on direct immersion can be a different molecule than the one that leads on sealed passive or indirect-loop.

Direct immersion
7 coded entries
Low ε · high Marangoni gradient · phase-stable
Lead candidate FoM = 4.06× Novec 7100
Sealed two-phase
6 coded entries
Vapor envelope · fractionation · materials compatibility
Sealed-system embodiment in PROV-001
Passive / space
7 coded entries
Gravity-independent Marangoni transport · sealed envelope
Microgravity embodiment in PROV-003
Indirect loop
4 coded entries
High thermal capacity · non-immersion contact
Composite FoM up to 6.36× Novec 7100
EVSI / no-waste ranking

EVSI sensitivity ranks which next measurement maximally narrows the candidate decision. Lab spend goes where data actually changes a verdict, not where it confirms what is already known.

Top 18 shake-flask phase map
first physical spend; 20 / 25 / 40 C with 1 h, 24 h, and 7 d reads
Next 12 desk-only audit
DDB, ThermoML metadata, and literature extraction before chemical purchase
Top 3-5 dielectric and safety
only after single-phase behavior; include water saturation, loss, breakdown, vapor, and flash
Top 2-3 bare-copper boiling
only after electrical and safety gates; no enhanced surfaces first
Commercial profile

Lead candidates are built on commodity-grade chemistries already produced at industrial scale — orders of magnitude cheaper than legacy fluorinated dielectrics. PFAS-free formulation removes the regulatory exposure facing every fluorocarbon coolant.

Six Candidate Envelopes

Architectures.

Six coded candidate envelopes span direct immersion, sealed passive, indirect loop, and the system-multiplier stack — each backed by computational evidence and mapped to specific patent embodiments.

A
Envelope

Low-ε sealed direct immersion

PFAS-free binary · ε = 2.05

Best-in-class dielectric. Sealed two-phase architecture for high-voltage and in-package use. Covered under PROV-003 Claim 13.

B
Envelope

Highest-FoM direct immersion

PFAS-free binary · FoM 4.06×

Lead direct-immersion candidate by FoM. Bayesian-discovered after the 2026-01-29 priority date; CIP filing candidate (hard-bar 2027-01-29).

C
Envelope

GRAS-pump direct immersion

PFAS-free binary · FoM 3.83×

FDA-GRAS pump component for biotech-adjacent and food-contact applications. CIP filing candidate.

D
Envelope

Broad direct / passive fallback

PFAS-free binary · low Hansen Ra

Best alkane-pump miscibility profile in the portfolio. Direct and passive-thermosyphon compatible.

E
Envelope

Indirect-loop reference

High-ε control · FoM 6.36×

Highest composite FoM in the portfolio for non-immersion architectures. Mechanism cross-check for direct-immersion physics.

F
Envelope

System multiplier stack

Foam · ultrasound · biphilic · dissolved gas · nano

Six hardware levers covered under PROV-001 and PROV-003. Each acts as a CHF multiplier on top of the bare-fluid finalist.

System-multiplier embodiments

Six Hardware Levers.

Copper foam
CHF multiplier on bare-fluid finalist
Biphilic surface
Tuned nucleation + rewetting kinetics
Al₂O₃ conditioning
Surface-energy tuning for bubble departure
Ultrasound
Active bubble depinning
Dielectric nanoparticle
Thermal pathway enhancement at low loading
Dissolved CO₂ / N₂ / Ar
Nucleation-superheat lever
System-Multiplier Stack

Six Levers Above the Fluid.

The system-multiplier stack — copper foam, ultrasound, dielectric nanoparticles, biphilic surfaces, dissolved gases, and surface conditioning — sequences after the bare-fluid finalist. Each lever is covered in PROV-001 or PROV-003 and activates as a CHF multiplier on top of the validated baseline.

  • Copper foam — CHF multiplier on bare-fluid finalist; PROV-001 system embodiment.
  • Biphilic surface — Tuned nucleation + rewetting kinetics; PROV-001 surface embodiment.
  • Al₂O₃ conditioning — Surface-energy tuning for bubble departure; PROV-001 conditioning embodiment.
  • Ultrasound — Active bubble depinning; PROV-001 hardware embodiment.
  • Dielectric nanoparticle — Thermal pathway enhancement at low loading; PROV-003 nanoparticle embodiment.
  • Dissolved CO₂ / N₂ / Ar — Nucleation-superheat lever; PROV-003 dissolved-gas embodiment.
Competitive Landscape

No One Else
Self-Pumps.

Every PFAS-free immersion fluid shipping today is single-phase — it requires a mechanical pump and cannot exploit phase change. Every two-phase fluid shipping today contains C-F bonds and faces regulatory exit. FluxZero is the only candidate stack engineered as PFAS-free and Marangoni-active — passive recirculation plus phase-change heat capacity in one binary working fluid.

Reference fluid Chemistry PFAS status Phase regime Notes
FluxZero candidate stack Marangoni-active binary PFAS-free Two-phase + self-pumping Lead FoM 4.06× Novec 7100; ε = 2.05 best-in-class
Novec 649 / 7000 / 7100 Fluorinated two-phase PFAS Two-phase Discontinued by 3M Dec 2025
Fluorinert FC-72 / FC-87 / FC-40 Fluorinated single-phase PFAS Single-phase Discontinued by 3M Dec 2025
Opteon 2P50 (Chemours) HFO two-phase C-F bonds Two-phase Faces ECHA re-classification risk
Castrol ON DC 20 Hydrocarbon single-phase PFAS-free Single-phase No Marangoni mechanism; pump required
Submer SmartCoolant Hydrocarbon single-phase PFAS-free Single-phase No Marangoni mechanism; pump required
Shell Immersion S5 X GTL synthetic hydrocarbon PFAS-free Single-phase No Marangoni mechanism; pump required
Engineered Fluids EC-100 / SLIC Synthetic hydrocarbon PFAS-free Single-phase No Marangoni mechanism; pump required
M&I Materials MIVOLT Synthetic ester PFAS-free Single-phase No Marangoni mechanism; pump required

Performance comparisons against commercial baselines are validated in the Q3-Q4 2026 wetlab phase: dielectric loss/breakdown after water saturation, materials compatibility, and bare-copper pool boiling on the top 2-3 finalists.

Candidate Application Map

Use Cases Are Gates.

Each application has a different failure mode. The site now avoids treating one computational ranking as a universal answer.

Direct immersion

coded low-epsilon and high-gradient candidates

candidate only until miscibility, vapor/headspace, dielectric, materials, and boiling gates pass

Passive / thermosyphon

coded sealed volatile candidates

requires vapor-pressure, fractionation, wick/materials, and orientation testing

Indirect loop

coded high-epsilon controls

mechanism/control space where electronics contact is not required

Space / microgravity

microgravity method concepts plus passive candidates

hypothesis only until phase, vapor, freeze/thaw, materials, and orientation tests exist

PFAS retrofit references

fluorinated rows retained as references

not PFAS-free spend targets; useful for benchmarking and legacy comparison

System multipliers

foam, ultrasound, biphilic, dissolved gas, nanoparticles

Phase 5 only after a bare-fluid winner exists

Database Anchoring

Anchored to 1,774
Strict Rows.

Computational σ ranking is anchored to 1,774 strict ThermoML binary value rows extracted from 11,923 audited files, plus 155 parsed metadata leads across 111 unique DOIs. Every candidate is queried against Crossref. Lead-candidate σ is cross-validated against four independent analytic methods.

Strict ThermoML Property Values

Strict anchor 1
1,717
Density, excess volume, viscosity, mixing thermodynamics
Largest ThermoML anchor in the portfolio; coded chemistry
Strict anchor 2
33
Density, viscosity
Mechanism / control anchor for direct-immersion cross-check
Strict anchor 3
22
Density, viscosity
Control-family anchor; alkane-pump compatibility
Strict anchor 4
2
Activity coefficient
Indirect-loop reference candidate (FoM 6.36× Novec 7100)

Metadata Leads Worth Following

Metadata lead 1
51
Surface-tension and density leads queued for manual extraction
Metadata lead 2
18
Phase-equilibrium and density leads
Metadata lead 3
17
Strict-value anchor with supplemental metadata leads
Metadata lead 4
15
Strict-value anchor with supplemental metadata leads
Metadata lead 5
6
Largest strict ThermoML coverage in the portfolio
Metadata lead 6
4
Phase-proxy scout candidate
Metadata lead 7
2
Direct / passive fallback candidate
Metadata lead 8
1
Controlled-handling scout candidate
MD σ measurements
186

Multi-seed pooled UQ across 59 binary pairs.

σ methods cross-validated
4

Parachor-WK · Macleod-Sugden · Meissner-Michaels · Tamura-Kurata-Odani.

ThermoML files audited
11,923

1,774 strict binary value rows extracted across the candidate set.

Lead candidate FoM
4.06×

Direct-immersion lead vs Novec 7100 (canonical post-T-1.2 weighting).

Physics proof stack

The proof package is multi-layered: pressure-tensor σ from multi-seed slab MD, composition-gradient Marangoni scaling, Hansen / local LLE falsification, strict ThermoML anchoring, four-method analytic σ cross-validation, VLE/fractionation work-order generation, and a kill-gated wetlab pipeline. SMILES, ratios, and exact compositions are released to qualified parties under NDA alongside the technical brief.

Evidence Interpretation

What Each Layer Can Decide.

The pipeline is strongest when each layer is used for the decision it can actually support. The current database work is a high-value triage layer; the first decisive experimental gate is still phase behavior.

Layer Can tell us Cannot tell us
MD slab sigma Ranks blends by surface-tension proxy and uncertainty phase equilibrium, dielectric loss, breakdown, flash, vapor, boiling
Hansen / local LLE proxies Flags likely miscibility failures before buying chemicals real UCST/LCST or composition drift
ThermoML strict values Anchors density, viscosity, excess volume, and activity where present surface tension, boiling, or electronics safety for this candidate set
ThermoML metadata leads Creates a DOI/source extraction queue across 18 candidates measured values unless the paper is manually extracted
Crossref metadata Confirms broad search coverage across all 89 candidates absence of literature or absence of DDB data
Shake-flask / pendant-drop / dielectric First data that can promote or kill a candidate physically stack-level CHF or rack-scale readiness

This is why the next spend remains cheap falsification: miscibility plus volatile-solvent headspace safety first, then pendant-drop sigma only on single-phase survivors, then dielectric/flash/vapor pressure, then bare-copper boiling.

228 Claims · 3 Provisionals · CIP Drafted

The Patent Estate.

Three provisional patent applications filed 2026-01-29 totaling 228 claims, plus a continuation-in-part filing packet drafted for Bayesian-discovered direct-immersion candidates (hard-bar 2027-01-29). Coverage spans the PFAS-free composition genus, the discovery engine itself, and six system-multiplier embodiments.

PROV-001 · FILED 2026-01-29

Fluid system + method

120 claims · fluid composition, two-phase architecture, system embodiments (foam, ultrasound, biphilic, conditioning), and method-of-cooling claims

PROV-002 · FILED 2026-01-29

Computational discovery engine

50 claims · Bayesian GP + multi-seed MD screening workflow, EVSI sensitivity logic, and reproducibility framework

PROV-003 · FILED 2026-01-29

PFAS-free binary keystone

58 claims · PFAS-free composition genus including Pent+DMC (Claim 13), method-of-use, microgravity, retrofit, dissolved-gas, and dielectric-nanoparticle embodiments

CIP filing packet

The 2027 Filing Window.

  • CIP filing packet drafted covering Bayesian-discovered direct-immersion candidates (Pent+GBL, Pent+PC) identified after the 2026-01-29 priority date. Hard-bar 2027-01-29.
  • System-multiplier embodiments — copper foam, ultrasound, dielectric nanoparticles, biphilic surfaces — covered as PROV-001 / PROV-003 dependent claims and follow-on continuation targets.
  • Filing receipts, application numbers, exact filed PDFs, and chain-of-title released to qualified parties under NDA alongside the technical dossier.
Provenance

Inventor: Nicholas Harris. Provisional applications filed pro se on 2026-01-29; CIP filing packet under counsel review. Filing receipts, application numbers, exact filed PDFs, and chain-of-title released to qualified parties under NDA.

Engineered Kill-Gate Sequence

Validation Path.

Eight sequential gates retire the cheapest failure modes first. Phase before σ. σ before dielectric. Dielectric before bare-copper boiling. Each gate is engineered so a single result can decide which candidate continues to the next stage.

COMPUTATIONAL REPRODUCIBILITY

Validate the Stack in 5 Minutes.

# CPU check; no heavy GPU run required
python -m pytest
bash run_all.sh check-only
python scripts/semantic_consistency_check.py
          

Docker images (GPU NGC + CPU) ship with the dossier. Heavy MD reproduction is opt-in via reproduce_md.py against the published canonical inventory.

Gate Sequence

REPRO < 5 min
Check-only repo validation
$0
DESK before buying chemicals
LLE / UCST / LCST + VLE/fractionation review over 89 candidates
$0 to analyst time
SAFETY first vendor gate
CRO qualification for volatile-solvent headspace
quote-gated
PHASE 1 10-20 survivors max
Shake-flask phase map on 18 candidates and controls
low-cost first spend
PHASE 2 after phase pass
Pendant-drop sigma only on single-phase survivors
survivor-count dependent
PHASE 3 top 3-5 only
Dielectric constant/loss/breakdown, flash, vapor pressure, water saturation, materials
quote-gated
PHASE 4 2-3 finalists
Bare-copper boiling curve and CHF
after safety/electrical gates
PHASE 5 on bare-fluid finalist
Stack tests: foam, ultrasound, nanoparticles, biphilic, dissolved gas
CHF multiplier validation

Tests 0-K

0.
Safety prequalification

CRO confirms flammable handling, sealed vials, rated hood/enclosure, grounding, waste, and headspace controls.

A.
Miscibility / phase map @ 20 C

All 18 shake-flask candidates plus controls, with photos and 72-hour observation.

B.
Miscibility / phase map @ 40 C

Repeat at elevated temperature; two-phase behavior demotes direct/passive candidates.

C.
Pendant-drop sigma @ 25 C

Run only on single-phase survivors; compare to MD/mixing-rule expectations.

D.
Vapor pressure at 20-70 C

Quantifies sealed-system need and fractionation risk.

E.
Flash / autoignition / flammable headspace

Hard commercial gate before buyer pilot language.

F.
Frequency-dependent dielectric

20 MHz to 40 GHz where relevant; measure loss tangent, not just static epsilon.

G.
Breakdown after water saturation

Direct-immersion candidate fails if water uptake collapses dielectric margin.

H.
Materials compatibility

EPDM, FKM, silicone, PVC, wire insulation, solder mask, TIMs, copper/nickel/aluminum coupons.

I.
Corrosion / TAN after aging

Thermal aging plus acid number and coupon inspection.

J.
Bare-copper boiling curve

Only after the bare fluid passes the above gates.

K.
Kill gates

Safety fail = stop. Two-phase = demote. Sigma miss = fail MD. Electrical/materials fail = no direct immersion.

Sequencing logic

System-multiplier embodiments — copper foam, ultrasound, dielectric nanoparticles, biphilic surfaces, dissolved gas, EHD, and OpenFOAM device-geometry studies — activate as CHF multipliers on top of the validated bare-fluid finalist. Each lever compounds measured baseline performance rather than substituting for it.

Risk Register · Engineered Falsification

Risks & Mitigation.

The validation pipeline is engineered to falsify the cheapest failure modes first. Every gate sequenced to retire a specific risk before more capital flows in — phase first, then dielectric, then materials, then bare-copper boiling.

Risk 01 · High Shake-flask

Candidates may phase split

MD can hold a metastable mixed slab. The first decisive physical gate is 20 C and 40 C phase mapping on the 18-candidate panel.

Risk 02 · High Headspace safety

Volatile blends may be commercially unusable

Volatile low-boiling candidates need sealed-vial, vapor-pressure, flash, and flammable-headspace controls before direct/passive language is credible.

Risk 03 · High Electrical gate

Static epsilon is not enough

Loss tangent, breakdown after water saturation, and frequency-dependent behavior matter for electronics. These data do not exist yet.

Risk 04 · High Materials gate

Compatibility can kill a good fluid

EPDM, FKM, silicone, PVC, wire insulation, solder mask, TIMs, copper, nickel, and aluminum need compatibility and aging checks.

Risk 05 · Medium Database anchoring

Metadata is not a measured property

ThermoML metadata creates a targeted DOI extraction queue, but extracted values must be confirmed manually. Pendant-drop wetlab σ remains the authoritative measurement for the lead candidates.

Risk 06 · Medium System stack sequencing

Multipliers compound, not rescue

Copper foam, ultrasound, nanoparticles, biphilic surfaces, and dissolved-gas levers act as CHF multipliers on top of the bare-fluid finalist &mdash; not as compensators for a fluid that fails phase or dielectric gates.

Commercial Stage Gates

Value Compounds
With Validation.

Stage 01
TODAY
Asset state
Computational portfolio + IP estate
Evidence required
Candidate ledger · 228 claims filed · CIP drafted
Commercial meaning
Licensing / option deals · early acquirer access
Stage 02
PHASE PASS
Asset state
Single-phase wetlab survivors
Evidence required
Shake-flask phase map + pendant-drop σ
Commercial meaning
Confirmed lead candidates · technical uplift
Stage 03
ELECTRICAL / SAFETY PASS
Asset state
Top 3-5 candidates validated
Evidence required
Dielectric loss/breakdown · flash · vapor · materials
Commercial meaning
Direct-immersion qualified for hyperscaler pilot
Stage 04
BARE BOILING PASS
Asset state
2-3 finalists validated
Evidence required
Bare-copper curve and CHF measurement
Commercial meaning
Measured performance claims vs Novec & PFAS-free baselines
Stage 05
PHASE 5 STACK PASS
Asset state
System finalist validated
Evidence required
Foam · ultrasound · biphilic · dissolved gas · nano CHF
Commercial meaning
System-multiplier value-add quantified

Each gate compounds asset value: option agreements and early-licensee terms today, full performance-validated licensing or acquisition after Q4 2026 boiling-curve data. Engagement structures available under NDA.

Frequently Asked

Before the Meeting.

How is FluxZero different from existing PFAS-free coolants?

Every commercial PFAS-free immersion fluid shipping today (Engineered Fluids EC-100, Shell Immersion S5, Castrol ON DC, Submer SmartCoolant) is single-phase. None self-pump. None exploit a Marangoni gradient. FluxZero is a binary working fluid that creates its own surface-tension gradient under heat load &mdash; passive recirculation without a pump, plus phase-change heat capacity that single-phase fluids physically cannot deliver.

What is the strongest proof today?

186 MD σ measurements across 59 binary pairs (167 valid · multi-seed pooled UQ) with σ values cross-validated against four independent methods (Parachor-WK, Macleod-Sugden, Meissner-Michaels, Tamura-Kurata-Odani). ThermoML anchoring against 11,923 audited files. Lead direct-immersion candidate computes to FoM = 4.06× Novec 7100; indirect-loop reference reaches 6.36×. Best-in-class dielectric ε = 2.05.

How defensible is the IP?

Three provisional patent applications filed 2026-01-29 totaling 228 claims: PROV-001 (fluid system + method, 120 claims), PROV-002 (Bayesian/MD discovery engine, 50 claims), PROV-003 (PFAS-free binary keystone with microgravity and dissolved-gas embodiments, 58 claims). CIP filing packet drafted covering follow-on direct-immersion candidates, hard-bar 2027-01-29. Filing receipts and chain-of-title released to qualified parties under NDA.

What does the validation pipeline look like?

Q2 2026: 18-candidate shake-flask phase map at 20°C / 25°C / 40°C with 1h, 24h, 7d reads. Single-phase survivors advance to pendant-drop σ. Top 3-5 progress to dielectric loss/breakdown after water saturation, flash, vapor pressure, materials compatibility. Top 2-3 finalists run bare-copper pool boiling curves and CHF measurement.

What are the hard risks?

Phase stability under thermal load is the first decisive gate &mdash; MD slabs can persist as metastable mixtures. Volatile-pump candidates require sealed-headspace and flammability controls before pilot deployment. Frequency-dependent dielectric loss after water saturation is a separate gate from static ε. Materials compatibility (EPDM, FKM, silicone, solder mask, TIMs) is a deal-breaker if it fails. The validation sequence is engineered to falsify these cheaply, in order.

Is the computational stack reproducible?

Yes. Docker images (GPU NGC + CPU) ship with the dossier. `bash run_all.sh check-only` validates the full pipeline in under 5 minutes. Heavy MD reproduction is opt-in but fully automated via `reproduce_md.py` against the published canonical inventory.

Why now?

3M discontinued Novec™ and Fluorinert™ effective December 2025. ECHA universal PFAS restriction final opinions land 2026-2027. NVIDIA B200 sockets at 1,000W today; Rubin projects 1,500-2,000W. The two-phase immersion stack needs a PFAS-free, Marangoni-active replacement with measured electrical safety and validated materials compatibility &mdash; available before Novec stockpiles run out.

Milestone Timeline

Roadmap.

Computational discovery and IP filings are landed. The 2026 cadence advances FluxZero candidates through wetlab kill-gates to a bare-fluid finalist with measured electrical safety and bare-copper CHF data.

landed 2026-01-29

Three provisional patents filed

PROV-001 (fluid system + method, 120 claims), PROV-002 (Bayesian/MD discovery engine, 50 claims), PROV-003 (PFAS-free binary keystone with microgravity and dissolved-gas embodiments, 58 claims). 228 total claims.

landed 2026-04-17

Bayesian discovery + multi-seed UQ

Pent+GBL identified as direct-immersion lead via Bayesian GP + MD; FoM = 4.06× Novec 7100. CIP filing packet drafted; hard-bar 2027-01-29.

landed 2026-04-24

Evidence stack snapshot

186 MD σ measurements across 59 binary pairs; 11,923 ThermoML files audited; 1,774 strict binary rows extracted; 4-method σ cross-validation complete.

next Q2 2026

Wetlab phase 1 — shake-flask

18-candidate phase map at 20 / 25 / 40 °C with 1h, 24h, 7d reads. Single-phase survivors advance to pendant-drop σ.

next Q2 2026

CIP filing + DDB extraction

Continuation-in-part filing on direct-immersion candidates; licensed DDB extraction against the work-order queue.

next Q3 2026

Electrical / safety / materials gate

Dielectric loss/breakdown after water saturation, flash, vapor pressure, materials compatibility on top 3-5 candidates.

next Q4 2026

Bare-copper boiling + system stack

Pool boiling curves and CHF on 2-3 finalists; PROV-001 / PROV-003 system multipliers (foam, ultrasound, biphilic, dissolved gas) layered on the validated baseline.

IP Provenance
Filed 2026-01-29 · CIP drafted
FluxZero IP estate: three provisional patent applications filed 2026-01-29 (PROV-001, PROV-002, PROV-003) totaling 228 claims, plus a continuation-in-part filing packet drafted for Bayesian-discovered direct-immersion candidates with a 2027-01-29 hard-bar. Coverage spans the PFAS-free composition genus, the discovery engine, and six system-multiplier embodiments. Filing receipts, application numbers, exact filed PDFs, and chain-of-title release to qualified parties under NDA alongside the technical dossier.
Built For

Where FluxZero Lands.

Designed for the platforms that lose their incumbent dielectric in 2025-2027 and need a PFAS-free replacement that exploits phase change, not just heat capacity.

AI compute
NVIDIA B200 · MI325X · Rubin

Socket-level two-phase cooling for 1,000-2,000W TDP envelopes that air and single-phase liquid cannot reach.

Hyperscaler immersion
OCP · 2-phase rack platforms

PFAS-free dielectric replacement for Novec-based two-phase rack deployments before end-2025 supply runs out.

Edge & telco
Sealed thermosyphon nodes

Pump-free passive cooling for unattended outdoor and high-density edge sites where moving parts fail first.

Defense & space
Orbital electronics · directed energy

Marangoni transport works in microgravity; PFAS-free formulation clears domestic-supply and regulatory constraints.

Engagement Model

Three Ways to Work With Us.

01 · License

Field-of-use or exclusive license against the 228-claim filed estate.

Cooling OEMs · fluid manufacturers · system integrators

02 · Co-development

Wetlab + pilot validation against your platform spec.

Hyperscaler procurement · DOD primes · spaceflight integrators

03 · Acquisition

Full IP estate transfer with inventor support.

Strategic acquirers in immersion cooling and dielectric fluid markets

Talk to the inventor. NDA template returned within 1 business day; full technical brief within 3.

Schedule a Technical Call
Get the Technical Brief

Talk to Us
Before Novec Runs Out.

The NDA-gated technical brief includes lead-candidate compositions and SMILES, MD canonical inventory, ThermoML extracts, patent filing receipts, the validated wetlab SOP, and the Docker reproducibility kit.

01 · Contact
Nicholas Harris · Inventor
nharris@vivamed.com
02 · Patent estate
228 claims · 3 provisionals filed · CIP packet drafted
03 · Engagement
Licensees · OEMs · hyperscalers · defense / space