Contact Information

Research Interests

My research goal was to develop a method for configuration design of data center server cabinets.  This method was anchored in simulation, and is applicable to any complex thermal system, including multi-scale problems containing numbers of smaller sub-systems.  In my master’s research I applied this design approach to data centers, minimizing energy requirements and server real estate while maximizing operational reliability.

Question: How can data center layout be configured systematically to maximize thermal efficiency and minimize server footprint, accounting for variability in operating conditions?

Hypothesis: Modular compact models (reducing computational intensity) can be used with robust design techniques (minimizing solution sensitivity) to facilitate multi-objective configuration design for maximum geometric and thermal efficiency.

For a short but complete research plan see my Proposed Research Plan, part of my NSF Fellowship Application in 2005.

For an overview of the CEETHERM Consortium that sponsor me, see the CEETHERM Page

For previous research interests, see my resume at the bottom is the page, my Digital Portfolio, and my Previous Research Expereince, part of my NSF Fellowship Application in 2005.

Recent Presentations

• MS Thesis Presentation - November 23 - An Approach for the Robust Design of Data Center Server Cabinets [Power Point File]
  
• METTL Lab Presentation - October 6 - POD Developments & Intro to DOE - [Power Point File]
• SRL Lab Presentation - October 5 - Robust Design Application - [Power Point File]
• CEETHERM Meeting Presentation - August 16 - Robust Design & Validation of Air Cooled Server Cabinets - [Power Point File]
• ASME InterPACK 05 Presentation - July 12 - Robust Design of Air Cooled Server Cabinets - [Power Point File]
• SRL Lab Presentation - May 18- Modeling & Robust Design Approach for Air Cooled Server Cabinets - [Power Point File]

Publications

Masters Thesis

• N. Rolander, "Robust Design of Air Cooled Server Cabinets for Thermal Efficiency" M.S. Thesis, The G. W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA. [PDF]
  

Conference Papers

• N. Rolander, J. Rambo, Y. Joshi, F. Mistree, "Robust Design of Air Cooled Server Cabinets for Thermal Efficiency," ASME InterPACK Conference 2005. Paper Number: IPACK2005-73171
• F. Roman, N. Rolander, M. G. Fernández, B. A. Bras, J. K. Allen, F. Mistree, P. Chastang, P. Dépincé, and F. Bennis, "Selection without Reflection is a Risky Business…," presented at 10th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference, Albany, New York, USA, 2004. Paper Number: AIAA-2004-4429.

Journal Articles

• N. Rolander, J. Rambo, Y. Joshi, F. Mistree, "Robust Design of Turbulent Convective Systems Using the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition," Submitted to ASME Journal of Mechanical Design Special Issue on Robust and Risk Based Design, appearing 2006. [PDF]
  
• N. Rolander, W. Chernicoff, D. M. Matson, "Materials Investigation of Thermal Triggers Used in Pressure Relief Devices on Transit Busses", DOT-FTA-MA-26-7071-03-1 published by US DoT, June 2003.

Class Reports

Bachelor of Science Honors Thesis

• N. Rolander, “Digital Imaging Scanning Pyrometry”, BS Honors Thesis.  Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University, May 2003.

Other Information

Resume

View my online resume

Download my resume in PDF format

For further examples of my work, see my class reports above, and my Digital Portfolio.

Activities

Rowing Crew

• Placed Fifth in US Elite National Championships in Mens Lightweight Double Sculls, 2000
• Finalist in UK National Championships in Mens Junior Pairs, 1999
• Finalist in US Collegiate National Champtionships in Mens Varsity Eight, 2001
• Bronze Medalist in New Hampshire Championship Regatta in Mens Varsity Eight, 2000
• Finalist in US Collegiate National Champtionships in Mens Second Varsity Eight, 2000
• Finalist in UK National Scholastic Championships in Mens Junior Quadruple Sculls, 1999
• Competed twice in the Head of the Charles Regatta in the Club Mens Varsity Eight

Ultimate Frisbee

• Competing on Georgia Tech Men's Rookie Ultimate Frisbee Team, 2003-2004