Dell will provide architecture for the US Department of Energy’s next set of supercomputers named Doudna.
Dell’s focus will be on cooling systems and sustainable hardware, while Nvidia provides its AI architecture including the Vera Rubin AI chip.
The US Department of Energy wants to focus more on the sustainable development of AI, hence the choice of environment-conscious companies.
The US Department of Energy said that Dell’s next batch of supercomputers will be delivered with Nvidia’s ‘Vera Rubin’ AI chips, marking the beginning of a new era of AI dominance in research. The said systems are expected to be 10x faster than the current batch of supercomputers, which HP provided.
The supercomputer will be named ‘Doudna,’ after Jennifer Doudna, a Nobel Prize winner who made key contributions in CRISPR gene-editing.
Supercomputers have been instrumental in key scientific discoveries in the last few decades and also played a big role in the design and maintenance of the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal. And now, with the introduction of artificial intelligence, we’re heading towards a new decade of faster and more efficient scientific research.
It (supercomputers) is the foundation of scientific discovery for our country. It is also a foundation for economic and technological leadership. And with that, national security – Nvidia CEO, Jensen Huang
Dell Going All in on AI
This isn’t the first time Dell and Nvidia have come together to develop newer AI solutions. Back in March 2024, Dell announced the Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA, an end-to-end enterprise AI solution designed for businesses.
This joint venture used Dell’s infrastructure, such as servers, storage, and networking, combined with NVIDIA’s AI architecture and technologies such as GPUs, DPUs, and AI software.
Image Credit – Dell
For instance, the Dell PowerEdge Server utilizes NVIDIA’s complete AI stack to provide enterprise solutions for a variety of AI applications including speech recognition and cybersecurity, recommendation systems, language-based services, etc.
Dell’s AI server demand has also increased. It reached $12.1B in 2025’s first quarter, with a backlog of $14.4B. This indicates a strong demand and order book for the future. The company has made a bold profit prediction between $28.5B to $29.5B compared to the analysts’ prediction $ 25,05 B.
Dell is well positioned to lead the next supercomputer generation in AI research, invention and discoveries with Doudna. Focus on Energy Efficiency.
Seagate has warned of the unprecedented increase in data. In the next few years,the demand for AI data storage will increase which is a major challenge to the sustainability and viability of AI data centers. Global data volume will triple by 2028.
Image Credit – DIGITIMES Asian
The data storage industry currently produces only 1-2 zettabytes (1 zettabyte equals 1 trillion gigabytes) of storage annually, which is much lower than what would be required in the next 4-5 years.
At the same time, Goldman Sachs predicts that power requirements will also go up by 165% by 2030 due to increasing demand for AI data centers. This calls for a more sustainable approach for the supercomputing industry as well.
Dell will use its proprietary technologies, such as Direct Liquid Cooling, the PowerCool eRDHx, and Smart Flow design in the Doudna, ensuring energy efficiency.
Dell’s PowerCool eRDHx has a self-contained design that can capture 100 percent of the heat generated from IT systems. This reduces the need for expensive chillers as eRDHx is able to work at temperatures between 32 and 36 degrees Celsius. 60 % savings in cooling costs
Lastly the Dell Smart Flow Design improves airflow in IT components. reduces fan power by 52%.This results in better performance with less cooling requirements. Dell also plans to integrate Leak Sense Technology. The system’s coolant leak sensor will alert the iDRAC to take immediate action if a leak occurs.
According to a report entitled ‘ According to the IEA‘Energy and AIthe data center demand for electricity will increase to 945 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2030. Comparatively, this is more electricity than Japan consumes today.
In 2030, the US alone will consume as much electricity for processing data as all energy-intensive goods combined (including aluminum, steel cement and chemicals).
The need for sustainable AI data centers, supercomputers and other technologies cannot be stressed enough. Dell’s sustainable, technology-focused approach could be a key factor in how we use AI over the next decade.
It appears that the US Department of Energy chose Dell as a company that is committed to sustainability and can ensure the long-term viability of AI research-intensive setups.
Krishi is a seasoned tech journalist with over four years of experience writing about PC hardware, consumer technology, and artificial intelligence. Clarity and accessibility are at the core of Krishi’s writing style. He believes technology writing should empower readers—not confuse them—and he’s committed to ensuring his content is always easy to understand without sacrificing accuracy or depth. Over the years, Krishi has contributed to some of the most reputable names in the industry, including Techopedia, TechRadar, and Tom’s Guide. A man of many talents, Krishi has also proven his mettle as a crypto writer, tackling complex topics with both ease and zeal. His work spans various formats—from in-depth explainers and news coverage to feature pieces and buying guides. Behind the scenes, Krishi operates from a dual-monitor setup (including a 29-inch LG UltraWide) that’s always buzzing with news feeds, technical documentation, and research notes, as well as the occasional gaming sessions that keep him fresh. Krishi thrives on staying current, always ready to dive into the latest announcements, industry shifts, and their far-reaching impacts. When he’s not deep into research on the latest PC hardware news, Krishi would love to chat with you about day trading and the financial markets—oh! And cricket, as well.
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