International. Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed the first elastocaloric air conditioning system with cooling capacity on a commercial scale.
This breakthrough, published in the journal Nature, marks a milestone in the HVAC industry by offering a zero-emission and highly energy-efficient system.
The device, created by professors Sun Qingping and Yao Shuhuai, can stabilize indoor temperatures between 21 and 22 °C in just 15 minutes, even when the outdoor temperature reaches 31 °C. In addition, it has managed to exceed the previous limit of elastocaloric cooling, reaching a power of 1,284 watts, which allows its application in commercial air conditioning systems.
A sustainable alternative to polluting refrigerants
Refrigeration currently accounts for 20% of global electricity consumption, and traditional systems rely on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), gases with a high climate impact. HKUST's elastocaloric technology, based on nickel-titanium shape-memory alloys, eliminates the need for these refrigerants and improves energy efficiency.
The research team overcame previous limitations by using a multicellular architecture with 10 cooling units connected in series, combined with graphene nanofluids that optimize heat transfer. This design has made it possible to triple the cooling capacity compared to similar technologies.
Towards commercialization
Researchers are already collaborating with industry to bring this innovation to market.
"This achievement demonstrates that elastocaloric cooling can be applied on a large scale. With stricter regulations on HFCs, this zero-emission, high-efficiency technology is poised to transform the air conditioning industry and contribute to carbon neutrality," said Professor Sun.
In addition, future improvements in elastocaloric materials and system architecture are expected to further increase its performance. This development reinforces HKUST's leadership in sustainable solutions and represents a key step towards reducing the environmental impact of air conditioning globally.
