Three teenagers from Indore, India have won a $12,500 Earth Prize for creating a refrigerator that runs on salt instead of electricity. Dhruv Chaudhary, Mithran Ladhania, and Mridul Jain developed the “Thermavault” to help transport vaccines and medical supplies to rural areas without power.
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The innovative device uses ammonium chloride and barium hydroxide octahydrate salts that cool when dissolved in water. The cooling effect happens because the salt ions pull energy from their surroundings when they separate, lowering the temperature.
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Their refrigerator can maintain temperatures between 2-6°C (35-43°F) for 10-12 hours, ideal for vaccine storage. Unlike traditional ice packs, the salt solution can be reused.
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The teens plan to build 200 units for testing in 120 hospitals. The Earth Prize program will help them secure a patent for their life-saving innovation.
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h/t: Business Insider
Photos: Supplied
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