Friday, May 1, 2026
Sci/Tech - LEVEL2

Revolutionary Crystal Cooling for Sustainable Fridges

By aimee yang
Revolutionary Crystal Cooling for Sustainable Fridges

Refrigerators and freezers typically get their cooling power from environmentally harmful fluids" />

Refrigerators and freezers usually use harmful fluids for cooling.

Credit: Mint Images Limited/Alamy

A new type of crystal could help refrigerators and air conditioners cool without harming the environment.

These devices work by cycling a liquid that absorbs heat to create cold. However, many of these liquids add to global warming. Researchers at Deakin University have now developed a climate-friendly solution using “plastic crystals.”

These crystals can change under pressure, absorbing heat and cooling the surroundings. The unique thing about this crystal is that it can work at temperatures suitable for household appliances.

Although the technology shows promise, the high pressures needed are a challenge. Experts believe that with further development, this eco-friendly cooling method could be the future.

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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON

Accent

Refrigerators/rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪtərz/noun
Appliances used for keeping food and drinks cold.

Absorbs/əbˈzɔːrbz/verb
Takes in or soaks up a substance.

Cooling/ˈkuːlɪŋ/noun
The process of lowering temperature.

Climate-friendly/ˈklaɪmət ˈfrɛndli/adjective
Having a minimal negative impact on the climate.

Challenge/ˈtʃælɪndʒ/noun
A difficult task or situation.

Developed/dɪˈvɛləpt/verb
Created or advanced something over time.
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

What type of fluids do refrigerators and freezers typically use for cooling?
Environmentally friendly fluids
Plastic crystals
Harmful fluids
Heat-absorbing liquids
How do the new plastic crystals help refrigerators and air conditioners cool?
By emitting heat
By cycling a liquid
By adding to global warming
By absorbing heat under pressure
What is the unique characteristic of the plastic crystals developed by researchers at Deakin University?
They emit cold
They are suitable for industrial use only
They work at extreme temperatures
They can change under pressure
What is identified as a challenge for the eco-friendly cooling method involving plastic crystals?
Low efficiency
High temperatures
High pressures
Limited cooling capacity
What could the future potential of the eco-friendly cooling method be according to experts?
Increasing global warming
Extinction of harmful fluids
Widespread adoption
Low consumer interest
What is the primary purpose of the plastic crystals in the context of refrigerators and air conditioners?
To emit heat
To absorb CO2 emissions
To absorb heat and cool the surroundings
To increase global warming
Refrigerators and freezers typically use environmentally friendly fluids for cooling.
Researchers at Deakin University developed plastic crystals as an eco-friendly solution.
The plastic crystals can only work at extremely high temperatures.
High pressures are not a challenge for the use of plastic crystals in cooling devices.
Experts believe that the eco-friendly cooling method using plastic crystals may not be widely adopted in the future.
The plastic crystals in refrigerators and air conditioners primarily release heat into the surroundings.
The plastic crystals developed by Deakin University researchers can work at temperatures suitable for appliances.
According to the text, plastic crystals can absorb heat and cool the surroundings under .
Although the technology shows promise, the main challenge identified is the requirement for high .
Experts believe that with further development, the eco-friendly cooling method using plastic crystals could be the .
The plastic crystals differ from traditional coolants in their ability to change under .
This question is required
aimee yang
aimee yanghttps://esl-news.com

Test Your Understanding

Start Quiz
Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
ON
Accent
Refrigerators/rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪtərz/noun
Appliances used for keeping food and drinks cold.
Absorbs/əbˈzɔːrbz/verb
Takes in or soaks up a substance.
Cooling/ˈkuːlɪŋ/noun
The process of lowering temperature.
Climate-friendly/ˈklaɪmət ˈfrɛndli/adjective
Having a minimal negative impact on the climate.
Challenge/ˈtʃælɪndʒ/noun
A difficult task or situation.
Developed/dɪˈvɛləpt/verb
Created or advanced something over time.
Vocabulary Learning

How much do you know?

What type of fluids do refrigerators and freezers typically use for cooling?
Environmentally friendly fluids
Plastic crystals
Harmful fluids
Heat-absorbing liquids
How do the new plastic crystals help refrigerators and air conditioners cool?
By emitting heat
By cycling a liquid
By adding to global warming
By absorbing heat under pressure
What is the unique characteristic of the plastic crystals developed by researchers at Deakin University?
They emit cold
They are suitable for industrial use only
They work at extreme temperatures
They can change under pressure
What is identified as a challenge for the eco-friendly cooling method involving plastic crystals?
Low efficiency
High temperatures
High pressures
Limited cooling capacity
What could the future potential of the eco-friendly cooling method be according to experts?
Increasing global warming
Extinction of harmful fluids
Widespread adoption
Low consumer interest
What is the primary purpose of the plastic crystals in the context of refrigerators and air conditioners?
To emit heat
To absorb CO2 emissions
To absorb heat and cool the surroundings
To increase global warming
Refrigerators and freezers typically use environmentally friendly fluids for cooling.
Researchers at Deakin University developed plastic crystals as an eco-friendly solution.
The plastic crystals can only work at extremely high temperatures.
High pressures are not a challenge for the use of plastic crystals in cooling devices.
Experts believe that the eco-friendly cooling method using plastic crystals may not be widely adopted in the future.
The plastic crystals in refrigerators and air conditioners primarily release heat into the surroundings.
The plastic crystals developed by Deakin University researchers can work at temperatures suitable for appliances.
According to the text, plastic crystals can absorb heat and cool the surroundings under .
Although the technology shows promise, the main challenge identified is the requirement for high .
Experts believe that with further development, the eco-friendly cooling method using plastic crystals could be the .
The plastic crystals differ from traditional coolants in their ability to change under .
This question is required

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