Researchers at the University of Maryland's Keck Laboratory (pictured) are working on a new metal alloy for refrigeration and air conditioning systems. The shape memory alloy is "thermally elastic" and can act as a solid coolant to replace the fluid coolants in refrigeration and AC systems

The alloy can both absorb and create heat, similar to the way that a compressor-based system works. However, it has a much smaller operational footprint: it's up to 175% more efficient than the coolants currently in use, and so saves on greenhouse gas emissions, environmentally harmful liquid coolants, and energy bills.

A prototype system is currently in the works, using funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's economic stimulation money. If the system is eventually put into widespread use, it could reduce U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by 250 million metric tons per year. More information here. (via EnvironmentalHealth; photo courtesy of University of Maryland.)