Scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have devised a new approach to air-conditioning that is far more compact and lightweight than traditional equipment while promising to consume 10 to 30 times less energy by effectively removing humidity before cooling. Licensed to Montana Technologies, the ‘AirJoule’ system uses a unique adsorption-based process that is … Continue reading Bus air-conditioning efficiency boost
Worksport, known for its truck bed covers, has launched a new system that turns a truck bed into a mobile solar generator. Called SOLIS and COR, is designed to provide off-grid power for internal combustion engine, plug-in hybrid and battery electric utes. Continue reading One tonneau solar: Nanogrid for your ute
The European rail industry is embracing R290, a hydrocarbon refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of 3 for train HVAC systems. As well as aligning with the European Union’s F-Gas regulations and potential restrictions on PFAS substances, this shift marks a significant departure from high-GWP HFCs like R407C and R134a. Liebherr Transportation Systems, a … Continue reading Hydrocarbon-based railway HVAC does without secondary loop
Early hybrid cars first started using DC-DC converters to take power from the traction battery pack and convert run 12-volt components such as lights, infotainment and control electronics while the internal combustion engine is off, while also keeping the 12-volt battery charged, in some cases when the vehicle is parked and not in use. Now … Continue reading Liquid-cooled 4kW DC-DC converter launched
Researchers are developing new, environmentally friendly refrigerants and finding more ways to recycle or break down harmful ones as the need to mitigate the potential of ecological harm from rapidly growing global demand for air-conditioning and refrigeration technologies becomes increasingly urgent. HKUST: Engineers Set New Benchmarks in Eco-Friendly Cooling Technology Engineers at the Hong Kong … Continue reading Science to the rescue: Environmentally friendly refrigerants and safe ways to dispose of the harmful ones
From the skies above to the roads below, hydrogen is gaining momentum as a clean fuel source across different sectors in the global shift towards a cleaner energy future. Flying Towards Greener Aviation London Gatwick Airport is partnering with Airbus, Easyjet, and global hydrogen producer Air Products, to develop hydrogen infrastructure to fuel short and … Continue reading Hydrogen takes flight as aviation fuel as Brisbane H2 hub gets underway
The ability of owls to glide silently makes them a formidable predator, which inspired automotive supplier Mahle to design a ‘bionic’ cooling fan for electrified vehicles that is quieter and more efficient, using artificial intelligence to develop fan blades that mimic the wings of nocturnal birds of prey. Mahle analysed parts of the animal kingdom … Continue reading Silent flight inspires quieter cooling fans
Nissan, in collaboration with Malaysian radiative cooling specialist Radi-Cool, has developed a revolutionary paint technology and proven it can significantly reduce vehicle interior temperatures, reducing the load on cabin comfort air-conditioning with the potential for other applications such as transport refrigeration and other thermal management solutions. “This is especially important in the EV era, where … Continue reading Radiative cooling paint could reduce air-con load
Toyota is using the demanding Super Taikyu race series as an environment to stress-test and refine its hydrogen technology and has come up with a way of addressing the ‘boil-off’ problem that has been limiting the adoption of liquid hydrogen as an automotive fuel. Intense endurance racing conditions push Toyota’s hydrogen technology to its limits, … Continue reading Toyota proves hydrogen boil-off solution in endurance racing
Just when we thought we might have a solution to the problem of high global warming potential refrigerants, global action against the use of “forever chemicals” linked to a multitude of products including synthetic refrigerants new and old raises a question over the long-term future of products like R1234yf – but mounting pressure to address … Continue reading Taking the fight to PFAS ‘forever chemicals’
