Abstract: A data center having a hot aisle, a cold aisle, a row of server rack cabinets located between the cold aisle and the hot aisle, and a self-expanding gap filler located in a gap between adjacent elements in the data center is provided. The self-expanding gap filler includes a compressible material and a tubular outer member defining an inner space, the tubular outer member encapsulating the compressible material within the inner space. The compressible material is configured to expand from a compressed state within the inner space of the tubular outer member to an expanded state within the inner space of the tubular outer member in response to a seal being at least partially released within the tubular outer member to allow air to flow into the inner space of the tubular outer member, whereby the self-expanding gap filler at least partially fills the gap between the adjacent elements in the data center.

Abstract: A data center having a hot aisle, a cold aisle, a row of server rack cabinets located between the cold aisle and the hot aisle, and a self-expanding gap filler located in a gap between adjacent elements in the data center is provided. The self-expanding gap filler includes a compressible material and an outer layer having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining an inner space, the outer layer encapsulating the compressible material within the inner space. The compressible material is configured to expand from a compressed state within the inner space of the outer layer to an expanded state within the inner space of the outer layer in response to a seal being at least partially released within the outer layer to allow air to flow into the inner space of the outer layer, whereby the self-expanding gap filler at least partially fills the gap between the adjacent elements in the data center.