Researchers from multiple universities have found that the elastocaloric effect, if harnessed, may be able to do away with the need of fluid refrigerants used in fridges and air-conditioners. The results of the research were published in the journal Science.
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When rubbers bands are twisted and untwisted, it produces a cooling effect. This is called the “elastocaloric” effect. When a rubber band is stretched, it absorbs heat from its environment, and when it is released, it gradually cools down.
Researchers have found that the elastocaloric effect, if harnessed, may be able to do away with the need of fluid refrigerants used in fridges and air-conditioners. These fluids are susceptible to leakages, and can contribute to global warming.
In the elastocaloric effect, the transfer of heat works much the same way as when fluid refrigerants are compressed and expanded.
The level of efficiency of the heat exchange in rubber bands “is comparable to that of standard refrigerants and twice as high as stretching the same materials without twisting”. Their findings may lead to the development of greener, higher-efficiency and low-cost cooling technology.
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