When Adam Slavney and Jinyoung Seo discovered a new class of materials that could make refrigerators and heat pumps up to 20% more efficient, they were puzzled. Their experiments didn’t match their expectations, but after a few months and a lot of testing, Pascal, the startup they co-founded, has now secured $8.5 million in funding to bring these innovations to market.

The key to Pascal’s technology lies in compressing a gas, specifically carbon dioxide, into a cartridge filled with a proprietary sponge-like material. As the carbon dioxide molecules collide with the material, heat is generated and then expelled, making the process more efficient than traditional refrigerants. This could potentially end the decades-long cycle of finding new refrigerants that come with their own set of environmental concerns.

Slavney explains that the material has been tested extensively and can endure over 300,000 cycles of operation, making it a viable long-term solution. The technology’s efficiency means it can operate at conventional pressures, thereby reducing costs and increasing its potential for widespread adoption.

The funding has allowed Pascal to secure a contract with a multinational beverage company for a pilot of the technology. Slavney is optimistic that the first prototype will be delivered early next year, with a batch of more polished refrigerators following in 2028. This could revolutionize the industry and finally offer a solution that is both efficient and environmentally friendly.