MEMS Air Conditioning
Air conditioners equipped with a new valve will use up to 25 percent less energy. The valve, which regulates the expansion of liquid coolant, adjusts to changes in temperature and pressure more quickly and precisely than conventional valves can. Its secret: microelectromechanical systems, or MEMS–devices carved out of silicon and known for their precision and speed. MEMS are so small that they can typically control only microliters of fluid. But the new valve, through a series of levers and other mechanical devices, can control the larger volumes needed for air conditioners.

Credit: David Arky
Product: Microstaq SEV
Cost: Competitive with existing expansion valves, which sell for $15 to $30
Source: www.microstaq.com
Company: Microstaq
Keep Reading
Most Popular
A Roomba recorded a woman on the toilet. How did screenshots end up on Facebook?
Robot vacuum companies say your images are safe, but a sprawling global supply chain for data from our devices creates risk.
A startup says it’s begun releasing particles into the atmosphere, in an effort to tweak the climate
Make Sunsets is already attempting to earn revenue for geoengineering, a move likely to provoke widespread criticism.
10 Breakthrough Technologies 2023
The viral AI avatar app Lensa undressed me—without my consent
My avatars were cartoonishly pornified, while my male colleagues got to be astronauts, explorers, and inventors.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.