Researchers in Saudi Arabia have developed a cooling system that works without electricity by using salt and solar energy.
The technology was created by a team at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and is designed to reduce dependence on conventional air conditioning systems.
Global temperatures continue to rise, while heatwaves are becoming more frequent.
Researchers said the need for alternative cooling systems is growing, especially in regions where electricity access remains limited.
More than 700 million people worldwide live without electricity, increasing demand for affordable and sustainable cooling solutions.
The system is called Nescod, short for No Electricity and Sustainable Cooling on Demand.
Instead of compressors or electric motors, it relies on ammonium nitrate, a compound commonly used in fertilizers.
When ammonium nitrate dissolves in water, it absorbs heat from the surrounding environment through a process known as endothermic dissolution. That heat absorption creates a cooling effect.
According to the researchers, tests showed that a mixture of ammonium nitrate and water reduced the temperature from 25°C to 3.6°C within 20 minutes.
They said this made it around four times more effective than other salts such as ammonium chloride.
Researchers also noted that ammonium nitrate is low-cost, widely available, and easy to store.
After the salt absorbs heat, the system can be reset without electricity. Solar energy is used to evaporate the water, allowing the ammonium nitrate to crystallize and regenerate for future use.
This enables repeated cooling cycles without an external power source.
Researchers added that evaporated water can also be collected through solar distillation, helping reduce waste.
Cooling demand is rising rapidly worldwide. The International Energy Agency has said air conditioning already accounts for around 10% of global electricity consumption.
Researchers said the Nescod system could help lower electricity use and reduce carbon emissions in hot countries where cooling demand is high.
They added that the technology may also be useful for preserving food, cooling buildings, and storing temperature-sensitive goods in areas with unreliable power supplies.
If produced at scale, researchers said the system could offer a practical cooling solution in regions where both electricity and water are limited.
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