For decades, refrigerators have used the same basic cooling technology, but scientists are working on a new method that could be more energy-efficient and better for the environment.
Researchers from China’s Huazhong University of Science and Technology have developed a promising new cooling system based on thermogalvanic cells—a technology that uses electrochemical reactions to produce a cooling effect.
Their findings were published in the journal Joule.
Traditional refrigerators rely on gas compression, which consumes a lot of energy and can release harmful chemicals into the environment.
The new thermogalvanic cooling system works in a completely different way.
It uses chemical reactions to absorb and release heat, similar to how batteries generate power.
The key to this system is iron ions. In one part of the reaction, iron ions lose an electron and absorb heat from their surroundings.
In the reverse reaction, they regain an electron and release heat, which is then removed using a heat sink. This cycle creates a cooling effect while using far less energy than conventional refrigeration.
In the past, thermogalvanic cooling systems struggled to provide enough cooling power for practical use.
However, Dr. Jiangjiang Duan and his team found a way to dramatically improve this technology.
They focused on optimizing the electrolyte solution, which is the liquid that carries the iron ions.
By carefully selecting the right combination of chemicals, they increased the cooling efficiency by an impressive 70%. Instead of using traditional iron salts, they used a hydrated iron salt with perchlorate, which helped the iron ions dissolve more effectively.
Additionally, they replaced pure water with a solvent containing nitriles, which further enhanced the system’s performance.
Thanks to these improvements, their system was able to cool the electrolyte by 1.42 degrees Kelvin (K)—a huge jump from the 0.1 K cooling power of older thermogalvanic systems.
This new cooling technology could be used in many areas, from wearable cooling devices to large industrial cooling systems. It could also be applied to energy-efficient refrigerators, air conditioners, and cooling systems for electronics.
However, there are still challenges to overcome before this technology becomes widely available. The researchers plan to continue improving the system’s design, scalability, and long-term stability. They are also looking for commercial partners to help bring thermogalvanic cooling to the market.
“In the future, we hope to develop new materials and mechanisms to make this technology even more effective,” says Dr. Duan. “We are also working on refrigerator prototypes and exploring collaborations with companies to bring thermogalvanic cooling into everyday life.”
If successful, this breakthrough could revolutionize cooling technology, reducing energy use and environmental impact while keeping our homes, gadgets, and industries cool in a smarter way.
