Cool MOF could make for greener air con

A graphic showing the simulation result of the water adsorption process

Source: © Macmillan Publishers Ltd

A porous material could unlock water’s cooling potential in energy-efficient fridges and air conditioners

The next generation of fridges and air conditioners could do away with noisy compressors and greenhouse gas coolants and instead rely on the cooling power of water – thanks to a super adsorbent metal–organic framework (MOF). The porous material could drive adsoption chillers that, instead of guzzling huge amounts of electricity, run on industrial waste heat or solar energy.