Electronic solid could reduce carbon emissions in fridges and air conditioners

A promising replacement for the toxic and flammable greenhouse gases that are used in most refrigerators and air conditioners has been identified by researchers from the University of Cambridge.

Air conditioners. Photo: Chromatograph/Unsplash

The device is based on layers of a material composed of oxygen and three metallic elements known as PST, and it displays the largest electrocaloric effects – changes in temperature when an electric field is applied – yet observed in a body large enough for cooling applications.

The results could be used in the development of highly-efficient solid-state refrigerators and air conditioners, without the need for bulky and expensive magnets.

Refrigeration and air conditioning currently consume a fifth of all energy produced worldwide, and as global temperatures continue to rise, demand is only going to keep going up. In addition, the gases currently used in the vast majority of refrigerators and air conditioners are toxic, highly flammable greenhouse gases that only add to the problem of global warming when they leak into the air.

Researchers have been trying to improve cooling technology by replacing these gases with solid magnetic materials, such as gadolinium. However, the performance of prototype devices has been limited to date, as the thermal changes are driven by limited magnetic fields from permanent magnets.

The same Cambridge-led team identified an inexpensive, widely available solid that might compete with conventional coolants when put under pressure. However, developing this material for cooling applications will involve a lot of new design work.

In the current work, the thermal changes are instead driven by voltage. Using voltage instead of pressure to drive cooling is simpler from an engineering standpoint, and allows existing design principles to be repurposed without the need for magnets.

The Cambridge researchers, working with colleagues in Costa Rica and Japan, used high-quality layers of PST with metallic electrodes sandwiched in between. This made the PST able to withstand much larger voltages, and produce much better cooling over a much larger range of temperatures. (University of Cambridge)

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Three Black Holes on Collision Course

Astronomers have spotted three giant black holes within a titanic collision of three galaxies.

‘Sticky’ gene may help Valium calm nerves

NIH mouse study could prompt scientists to rethink how benzodiazepines work.

Study shows limitations of method for determining protein structure

A new study by chemists at the University of Arkansas shows that X-ray crystallography, the standard method for determining the structure of proteins, may provide inaccurate information about a critical set of proteins -- those found in cell membranes -- which in turn could be leading to poor and inefficient drug design.

Scientists work toward a rapid point-of-care diagnostic test for Lyme disease

A study describes a new rapid assay for Lyme disease that could lead to a practical test for use by healthcare providers.

Fairer fish trade could fix nutrient deficiencies in coastal countries

Local fish catch could help reduce nutrient deficiencies in developing countries — but only if more of it is distributed regionally.

‘Artificial leaf’ successfully produces clean gas

A widely-used gas that is currently produced from fossil fuels can instead be made by an ‘artificial leaf’ that uses only sunlight, carbon dioxide and water, and which could eventually be used to develop a sustainable liquid fuel alternative to petrol.