Chinese scientists created a zero-emission cooling system using pressure-driven salt dissolution, achieving rapid, high-capacity cooling with no harmful gases.

Chinese researchers have developed a new refrigeration method that combines solid-state cooling with liquid flow, using a reversible salt-dissolution process driven by pressure changes to achieve rapid, high-capacity cooling with zero harmful emissions. Published in Nature, the technology overcomes the "impossible triangle" of caloric materials by integrating the refrigerant and heat-transfer medium into a single fluid, enabling temperature drops of up to 54°C in seconds—surpassing current solid-state systems. It avoids fluorocarbons and could enable zero-emission cooling for data centers, AI hubs, and homes. While lab results are promising, further engineering is needed to refine phase transitions for real-world use.