It may seem like an exaggeration, but Europeans would rather get a bunch of small gadgets to survive the summer heat than upgrade to air conditioners. In fact, adoption rates are so low that only around 20% of European homes have them – a drop in the ocean when compared to the United States, where the figure is almost 90%. However, as much as American citizens love powerful HVAC systems (in places like Florida, they are essential), they are very energy-hungry, and in a world heading toward ecological disaster, that’s a no-no. To solve this problem, scientists have experimented with cooling systems that do not rely on electricity.
But energy consumption is only part of the problem, as traditional refrigerants used in air conditioners are also not environmentally friendly. Scientists have invented a new refrigeration cycle using ionocaloric cooling, but it may be a half-measure because the refrigerant is still in play. Fortunately, researchers at Saarland University in Germany may have solved the riddle. Forced to cope with challenging temperature increases across Europe without contributing to the problem of conventional air conditioning, researchers are exploring solid-state or elastocaloric cooling.
By throwing the refrigerant to the curb (figuratively speaking), this new cooling technique opts for nickel-titanium alloys. When these materials stretch and break apart, they provide cooling that can be much more efficient than a refrigerant-based system. Although still in the early stages of research, elastocaloric cooling air conditioners can lower indoor temperatures by 5 to 10 degrees Celsius (9 to 18 degrees Fahrenheit).
Will elastocaloric cooling spread?
The core of this new air conditioning is nickel-titanium and its unique property of deforming and returning to its original shape. As the structure transforms, heat transfer occurs as a side effect. It’s pretty cool. Stretching a wire constructed from this alloy releases heat into the atmosphere (or liquid) and once you remove the stress factor, the wire cools and absorbs any heat. That’s the main thing. The process is so simple that it does not require sensors, although the material itself responds to mechanical stress rather than directly to atmospheric heat.
According to team leader (via Techspot), Paul Motzki, heat pumps are powerful enough to disrupt today’s cooling industry. Still, the battle is far from over, as the system may not be available for at least a few years. In other words, the technology is experimental. Yet its simplicity, coupled with the system using only electricity, means it is perhaps the cleanest alternative to traditional HVAC systems.
The European Commission certainly believes that this is the case. Although the approach is gaining traction across the pond, it remains to be seen whether the alloy can work at scale. It may seem like magic, but if none of the big manufacturers take this step, it could fail from a consumer perspective. Yes, this is the eco-friendly version of air conditioners and the science is impressive, but that doesn’t stop the experimental technology from collapsing during its launch stages.
