29/05/2025

LYFE THURSDAY | MAY 29, 2025

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UK lab promises air con revolution T HE soft, waxy “solid refrigerant” being investigated in a UK laboratory may not look exciting, but its unusual properties promise an air-conditioning revolution that could eliminate the need for greenhouse gases. o Cooling without greenhouse gases a substance changes under pressure. The aim is to identify the best refrigerants among this class of materials, which are already used by the chemical industry and are relatively easy to obtain, even if the exact composition of the crystals eventually selected remains secret. The phenomenon is invisible to the naked eye, but these crystals are composed of molecules that spin on their own axis. Cheaper bills The prototype has “not really been optimised yet for either mass, volume or even sound,” acknowledged Mohsen Elabbadi, a materials engineer at Barocal. But the performance of the units they are working to perfect will eventually be comparable with those running on gas, he promised. A small refrigerator is attached to the system, and the cans of soda inside are perfectly chilled.

When the substance is squeezed, that movement stops and the energy is dissipated in the form of heat. When released, the substance cools its surroundings in what is known as the “barocaloric effect”. Chilled cans “We are expecting demand for air conditioning to increase hugely, globally, between now and 2050,” revealed University College London building physics professor Cliff Elwell. He believes barocaloric solids have the potential to be as efficient as gas, if not more so. “But whatever we introduce as new technologies always has to hit the basic requirements,” which include being compact and quiet enough for use in homes and cars, he said. Alongside his research at Cambridge, Moya founded the start-up Barocal in 2019 to turn his research group’s discoveries into tangible products. It employs nine people and has its

While the company is currently focusing on cooling, the technology could also be used to produce heat. Several teams are studying these materials around the world, but the Cambridge team is a pioneer in the field, according to Breakthrough Energy, which estimated that these devices have the potential to reduce emissions by up to 75% compared with traditional units. Barocal hopes to launch a first product on the market within three years, according to commercial director Florian Schabus. These will initially be cooling units for “large shopping centres, warehouses, schools” and even “data centres”, he said. The company reasons that the ultimate promise of cheaper bills will convince businesses to stump up the higher initial costs. Barocal is eventually aiming for retail prices similar to traditional units, allowing it to launch in the residential market. – AFP

The substance’s temperature can vary by more than 50°C under pressure and unlike the gases currently used in appliances, solid refrigerants do not leak. “They do not contribute to global warming, but also they are potentially more energy efficient,” explained University of Cambridge materials physics professor Xavier Moya. Approximately two billion air conditioner units are in use worldwide, and their number is increasing as the planet warms. Between leaks and energy consumption, the emissions associated with them are also increasing each year, according to the International Energy Agency. Moya has been studying the properties of these plastic crystals in his laboratory at the prestigious UK university for 15 years. On his work surface, a large red and grey machine, topped with a cylinder, tests how the temperature of

Moya poses while holding the barocaloric material used in solid state cooling technology. – AFPPIC

own laboratory, which is currently a modest container in a parking lot. But the start-up is attracting interest and in recent years, has raised around €4 million (RM19.2 million), notably from the European Innovation Council – an EU programme involving the UK – and Breakthrough Energy, an umbrella group of initiatives founded by US

billionaire Bill Gates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It plans to increase its workforce to 25 or 30 this year. The first air conditioner prototype is the size of a large suitcase and hums quite loudly when a hydraulic circuit increases or decreases the pressure inside the four crystal-filled cylinders. But it works.

Adaptive, durable cycle helmets IMAGINE a cycle helmet that returns to its original shape after the slightest impact, whereas normally it would end up in the trash. That is what a Dutch start-up is proposing with its reusable helmet, which continues to protect its wearer even after a multitude of (minor) bumps. Headfirst’s Echo Pro represents a new generation of helmets, combining comfort, safety and durability. Its distinguishing feature is the use of EPP (expanded polypropylene) foam which, unlike the expanded polystyrene generally used in regular helmets, can withstand several minor impacts without any significant loss of performance. After impact a children’s version of the helmet, so that everyone can benefit from its comfort and sturdiness. Finally, the Echo Pro incorporates a smart braking light, designed to improve cyclists’ safety by activating automatically when braking. After two years of research and development, this helmet is now the subject of a crowdfunding campaign via the Kickstarter platform, where it is being sold for the price of just €92 (RM441) (excluding shipping). The safety of cyclists is driving helmet manufacturers to develop ever more innovative solutions, such as the inflatable helmet already on offer from Germany’s Inflabi. – ETX Studio

A prototype home built using a nacelle. – PIC FROM SUPERUSE

deformation, it quickly returns to its original shape without permanent damage. This means that Headfirst helmets can offer continuous protection after minor impacts, as long as the outer shell – made from ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) – remains intact. However, in the event of a really serious impact, even if the helmet appears intact, it is advisable to have it inspected or replaced to guarantee optimum protection. This cycle helmet has also been designed to offer a personalised fit, thanks to an innovative system that enables it to adapt precisely to the shape of each user’s head. What is more, the manufacturer offers

Recycling wind turbines into homes

SWEDISH energy producer and supplier Vattenfall has teamed up with Dutch architecture firm Superuse to develop an innovative concept for recycling end-of-life wind turbine nacelles into eco-friendly tiny houses. Today’s wind turbines have an average lifespan of around 20 years, and dismantling them poses a number of challenges in terms of recycling their materials. While some parts, such as steel towers and blades, are now partially reused, the nacelles – the top of the turbine that houses its mechanical and electrical components – are difficult to recycle. As a result, this unique and somewhat

extraordinary project aims to transform these nacelles into small homes, ideal for environmentally-friendly living. A first prototype, called Nestle, has already been assembled, featuring 36sqm of living space with a modular living area, a mezzanine sleeping area, a kitchen and a bathroom. In terms of energy, this home uses a heat pump heating system and solar panels for energy self-sufficiency. The home also benefits from reinforced insulation with triple glazing and a ventilation system with heat recovery. The prototype was built using a nacelle that had been in operation for 20 years at a height of around 100m

at the Gols wind farm in Austria. Its dimensions are approximately 4m wide, 10m long and 3m high. The interior furnishings are partly made from recycled materials, including a table made from a wind turbine blade. In real terms, this type of home could be used for temporary or emergency housing, as well as primary residences for those who prefer minimalist, environmentally-friendly living. In addition to this project, Vattenfall is committed to recycling 100% of its wind turbine blades by 2030. Eventually, this strategy will also extend to nacelles. – ETX Studio

The helmet is designed to adapt to each user’s head shape. – PIC FROM HEADFIRST HELMETS