Gres Aragón-Faveker, in collaboration with Harvard University’s Wyss Institute, has developed cSNAP, a new evaporative cooling system that uses ceramic tiles to reduce indoor temperatures. This energy-efficient system could significantly cut air-conditioning energy use, particularly in hot, humid climates, and offers an affordable alternative for developing countries. Initial tests at Harvard’s HouseZero show promising results for this technology.
Gres Aragón-Faveker has partnered with Harvard University’s Wyss Institute to design and manufacture a series of special extruded ceramic tiles for a new cooling system. This system, known as cSNAP, uses water evaporation to cool indoor spaces, offering significant energy savings compared to traditional air-conditioning units. In specific climates and conditions, this system can use up to 75 percent less energy than conventional units based on vapor-compression refrigeration.
“The world demand for air-conditioning is expected to treble by 2050 as temperatures rise.” This introduction by the research team from Harvard University’s Wyss Institute highlights the urgent need for more energy-efficient cooling systems. Gres Aragón-Faveker collaborated on this project to develop such a system.
Preliminary data from the Wyss Institute’s laboratories indicate that this technology can achieve substantial energy savings. The system was tested in real-world conditions at HouseZero, a facility on Harvard’s campus, to validate its performance.
The cSNAP system operates using ceramic tiles coated with a nanoscale hydrophobic material, which cools the air without increasing humidity. This innovative design isolates incoming hot air from outgoing wet air, allowing the hot air to be cooled by circulating water. The specially formulated ceramic tiles ensure that the coating and airflow are distributed across the entire surface, maximizing energy efficiency.
The multidisciplinary team included members from Gres Aragón-Faveker, such as Ainhoa Bilbao, Sara Ejarque, and SAMCA Group’s Director of R&D&I, Miguel Ángel Caballero. The Wyss Institute and Harvard’s Graduate School of Design team featured Joanna Aizenberg, Martin Bechthold, Jack Alvarenga, Jonathan Grinham, and Ally Chang.
cSNAP presents a long-lasting, low-cost, and low-energy evaporative cooling solution, particularly efficient in hot, humid climates. Because it only requires water instead of liquid refrigerants, it offers a more economical option suitable for developing countries where conventional systems are too expensive.
The research team continues to enhance the system, combining it with additional innovations that pre-treat and dehumidify incoming air. These improvements aim to further increase its cooling capacity and expand its use across various markets and climate zones worldwide.
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