Moisture-sucking materials could transform air conditioning
July 26, 2023 – A surprising set of materials could soon help make more efficient air conditioners that don’t overtax the electrical grid on hot days. Air conditioners are almost always based on vapor compression, and its basic design has remained virtually unchanged since its invention a hundred years ago. Pumping refrigerant around and compressing it enough to shuttle heat outside requires a lot of energy, especially when temperatures are very high. Vapor compression systems also deal with humidity and heat together, which is another drawback. Systems that tackle dehumidification and cooling separately could keep building temperatures comfortable with less energy and allow for more flexibility in different environments. And a growing number of startups are looking to desiccants – materials that suck up moisture – to accomplish just that. MIT Technology Review listed a number of such possibilities.
