In the fight against climate change, we have developed an air conditioning revolution: ionocaloric cooling.

We have been manufacturing cooling appliances like air conditioning systems or refrigerators for decades. However, although they are becoming more energy efficient, one of their key components is vapor compression technology. This makes these devices a huge energy and environmental problem, but in the search for a solution, we’ve found something that aims to change everything: ionocaloric cooling.

It has not only proven to be effective but is also extremely friendly to the environment.

an unsolved problemCurrent refrigeration systems use this vapor compression technology using hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as liquid refrigerants. However, these HFCs have a greater global warming potential than CO₂ and it is estimated that by 2050, HFC emissions will represent up to 20% of CO₂ equivalent emissions due to increased demand for air conditioning.

So we are looking for alternatives. Some are using technologies that are based on botijo ​​technology, others that use 3D clay printing systems and machines that do not use refrigerant gases, allowing the carbon footprint to be reduced by up to 80%. And, be careful, we are also looking for more efficient and respectable solutions to deal with the cold. However, we continue to use the same traditional HFC-based systems.

ionocaloric cycleHowever, researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are experimenting with something that aims to revolutionize this field: ionocaloric refrigeration. Drew Lilley is one of the researchers involved in the project and says he believes the ionocaloric cycle has the potential to solve all the problems with current refrigerants. That is, something that works efficiently, is safe and does not harm the environment.

But… what is this ionocaloric cycle? In the image above we can see how it works, but basically it is a form of “caloric” cooling. There are several in development, such as those that use magnetism, pressure or the pull of electric fields to manipulate solid materials so that they absorb or release heat. In the case of ionocaloric cooling, ions are used to change the phase from solid to liquid, and vice versa.

worksThus, researchers have designed a system that has a fluid inside it. This is an advantage, as it makes the material pumpable, facilitating the entry and exit of heat from the system.

In the animation that we see just above these lines, we can see the cycle in action. When current is added, ions flow and change the substance from solid to liquid. Due to this this material absorbs heat from the environment. When the process is reversed and the ions are removed, the material crystallizes into a solid, releasing the absorbed heat.

promise ofThe team achieved a temperature change of 25 degrees Celsius using less than one volt of electrical energy. Ravi Prashar is one of the researchers in Berkeley’s Energy Technologies area and said that “from a first attempt, the data looks very promising in balancing the global warming potential of the refrigerant, the energy efficiency of the refrigerant, and the cost of the equipment required”.

Of course, although these results were promising, Pracher is clear that he needs to continue researching the best components and techniques to optimize the system. He said, “We have this new thermodynamic cycle and a framework that brings together elements from different fields, and we have shown that it can work. Now different combinations of materials and techniques are being used to address engineering challenges.” “It’s time to try.”

negative global warmingAnd perhaps the most impressive thing about it is that we’re not talking about anything more efficient than existing systems, but rather the ability to “absorb” CO₂. Lilly said that “there is likely to be refrigerants that not only have zero global warming potential, but are also negative. The use of materials like ethylene carbonate could be carbon negative, because it is produced using carbon dioxide as an input.” goes.” “We have space to use CO₂ from carbon capture.”

There are many people who are experimenting with CO₂ sequestering materials and elements, and one example is the field of construction with wood which sequesters CO₂ and bricks which also have this property. In any case, the team continues to investigate ionocaloric refrigeration, but they have obtained a provisional patent for this technology and anyone can license it for research. If you are interested, this is the email.

Images | berkeley lab

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