我国制冷技术新突破

Core Viewpoint - The research team from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has discovered the "Dissolution Pressure Card Effect," which offers a low-carbon and efficient cooling solution for high-energy-consuming data centers, as published in the journal Nature [1][4]. Group 1: Discovery and Mechanism - The "Dissolution Pressure Card Effect" allows ammonium thiocyanate (NH₄SCN) solution to exhibit significant thermal effects under pressure changes, achieving a temperature drop of nearly 30°C within 20 seconds at room temperature, surpassing the performance of known solid-state phase change materials [1][2]. - This effect combines the refrigerant and heat transfer medium, utilizing the solution's flow to achieve efficient heat transfer while providing substantial cooling through the dissolution and precipitation process, thus overcoming the long-standing "low-carbon, high cooling capacity, high heat transfer" dilemma in refrigeration [1][2]. Group 2: Engineering Application - Based on the "Dissolution Pressure Card Effect," the team has designed a four-step cycle system: pressurization and heating, heat dissipation to the environment, depressurization and cooling, and cold transport, achieving a heat absorption of 67 joules per gram of solution per cycle with a theoretical efficiency of 77% [3]. - This innovative method provides a promising approach for the next generation of cooling technologies in data centers, potentially facilitating low-carbon operations for computational infrastructure [4].