Electrochromic material could help buildings heat up and cool down

You may have heard of electrochromic windows or sunglasses that can be electronically switched between clear and tinted states. Well, the same technology has been applied to a new material that could both heat and cool buildings, if mounted on their ou… Continue reading Electrochromic material could help buildings heat up and cool down→

Sunlight and salt water join forces in electricity-free cooling system

There are many parts of the world which lack infrastructure, but that get a lot of sunlight … which makes buildings uncomfortably hot. A new system could help, as it uses a combination of sunlight and salt water – but no electricity – to produce a co… Continue reading Sunlight and salt water join forces in electricity-free cooling system→

Low-energy freezing technology keeps food fresh without forming ice

The typical freezers found homes and restaurants play an invaluable role in preserving foods until they’re ready to be eaten, but an alternative technology promises to not only use far less energy, but improve food quality at the same time. Known as is… Continue reading Low-energy freezing technology keeps food fresh without forming ice→

Tiny heat exchangers may let hypersonic plane fuel double as coolant

Hypersonic aircraft that fly many times the speed of sound might one day carry people from the US to Australia in just a few hours, but with all that velocity comes a hell of a lot of heat. One way scientists hope to prevent them overheating is by havi… Continue reading Tiny heat exchangers may let hypersonic plane fuel double as coolant→

NASA-inspired Honu backpack keeps you cool for up to 12 hours

Ordinarily, a backpack is something that you take off if you’re getting too hot. The NASA-inspired Honu, however, is claimed to actually make its user feel up to a total of 20º F (11º C) cooler than if they weren’t wearing a pack at all.Continue Readin… Continue reading NASA-inspired Honu backpack keeps you cool for up to 12 hours→

3D-printable phase-change materials insulate buildings better at scale

Heating and cooling systems are some of the biggest energy guzzlers in use, so passive temperature control could be a good way to reduce emissions. Phase-change materials (PCMs) show promise for this, and now engineers at Texas A&M have developed a new… Continue reading 3D-printable phase-change materials insulate buildings better at scale→

Reversible fabric heats on one side, cools on the other

It can be frustrating, when the jacket that you initially put on to keep you warm starts making you too hot. Jackets made from an experimental new reversible fabric, however, could both heat and cool their wearer.Continue ReadingCategory: Materials, Sc… Continue reading Reversible fabric heats on one side, cools on the other→

Magnesium alloys claimed to lighten heat removal systems by one third

Both cars and electronic appliances require heat removal systems, which are typically made of iron, steel or aluminum. That may soon change, though, as scientists have created two magnesium alloys which they claim can reduce the weight of such systems … Continue reading Magnesium alloys claimed to lighten heat removal systems by one third→