Solid-state refrigerant works under pressure for greener cooling

As useful as refrigerators and air conditioners are, the gases they use as refrigerants can leak into the atmosphere and become major contributors to climate change. Now engineers at Harvard have demonstrated a new prototype cooling device that uses a … Continue reading Solid-state refrigerant works under pressure for greener cooling

World’s first liquid-nitrogen outdoor cooling system set for trials

Israeli company Green Kinoko is preparing for the first public tests of a remarkable clean outdoor cooling system. The Kinsho system operates like the inverse of an outdoor cafe heater, cooling several tables per unit without using any electricity.Cont… Continue reading World’s first liquid-nitrogen outdoor cooling system set for trials

Low-energy fluidic cells could shade and cool buildings dynamically

A large percentage of a building’s energy usage is consumed by heating and cooling, but a new dynamic shading system designed by researchers at the University of Toronto could help. Inspired by the skin of krill, the system uses cells of blooming pigme… Continue reading Low-energy fluidic cells could shade and cool buildings dynamically

Reaction begins testing Mach 4 jet engine upgrades for US Air Force

The UK’s Reaction Engines has started a new test campaign to greatly expand the envelope on its high-mach propulsion technology, hoping to prove it can upgrade current jet engines to be capable of working from takeoff speeds up to Mach 4 and beyond.Con… Continue reading Reaction begins testing Mach 4 jet engine upgrades for US Air Force

Active Aero Wheel features brake-heat-activated cooling vents

Although a completely flat-surfaced wheel would be aerodynamic, it would also be hard to keep cool – especially during the braking process. An experimental new wheel rim, however, has cooling vents that open as needed … and they’re activated by heat.Co… Continue reading Active Aero Wheel features brake-heat-activated cooling vents

Active Aero Wheel features brake-heat-activated cooling vents

Although a completely flat-surfaced wheel would be aerodynamic, it would also be hard to keep cool – especially during the braking process. An experimental new wheel rim, however, has cooling vents that open as needed … and they’re activated by heat.Co… Continue reading Active Aero Wheel features brake-heat-activated cooling vents

Wood-based foam passively cools buildings to cut energy bills

A huge chunk of energy usage goes towards heating and cooling homes and buildings, so it’s important to find new ways to regulate temperature passively. Engineers in China and Germany have developed a new wood-based foam that can drastically cool build… Continue reading Wood-based foam passively cools buildings to cut energy bills