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KAUST Scientists Create Electricity-Free Cooler That Drops Temperature to 3.6°C

May 12, 2026

OVERVIEW

Scientists in Saudi Arabia have made a cooling system that does not need electricity. It is called Nescod. The name stands for No Electricity and Sustainable Cooling on Demand. The system uses ammonium nitrate and water. When the salt dissolves in water, it absorbs heat and makes the surroundings cold. This is a big help for hot and dry places where electricity is not always available.

WHAT IS NESCOD?

Nescod is a new cooling system. It was developed at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. The full name is  No Electricity and Sustainable Cooling on Demand . The system does not use compressors. It does not need continuous electrical power. Instead, it uses a simple chemical process.

HOW DOES NESCOD WORK?

The system works on a principle called  endothermic dissolution . This is a fancy way of saying: when a substance dissolves in water, it takes in heat from around it. This makes the nearby area cold.

Here is the simple step-by-step process:

  1. Ammonium nitrate (a type of salt) is mixed with water.

  2. The salt dissolves in the water.

  3. While dissolving, it pulls heat from the surroundings.

  4. The temperature drops.

  5. Solar energy is then used to evaporate the water.

  6. The salt is left behind and can be used again.

This cycle can be repeated many times.

WHAT IS AMMONIUM NITRATE?

Ammonium nitrate is an inorganic salt. Its chemical formula is  NH₄NO₃ . Many people know it as a common fertiliser for plants. It is also used in some cooling applications. The scientists chose this salt because it is:

  • Inexpensive (costs very little)

  • Readily available (easy to find)

  • Simple to store (does not need special containers)

TESTING AND PERFORMANCE

The scientists tested Nescod in their lab. The results were very good:

  • Starting temperature: about  25°C  (room temperature)

  • Temperature after 20 minutes: nearly  3.6°C  (very cold!)

  • The system was  four times more efficient  than other salts like ammonium chloride

This means Nescod cools faster and better than similar methods.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Many hot and dry countries face two problems:

  • High heat makes life difficult

  • Electricity is not always reliable

Nescod solves both problems. It does not need power from the grid. It can be used in villages, farms, or remote areas. It can help store food, cool medicines, or provide comfort in homes.

OTHER COOLING RESEARCH AT KAUST

KAUST scientists are doing great work in cooling without electricity. Here are two more examples:

1. Passive radiative cooling method:  Led by Professor Qiaoqiang Gan. This method cools overheating solar panels. It also collects water from the air. It uses zero electricity. It works by sending heat out to the sky as radiation.

2. Low-cost passive cooling material:  Another team made a material from sodium polyacrylate and lithium chloride. The material absorbs moisture from the air at night. During the day, it releases that moisture to cool solar panels. Again, no electricity needed.

FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

Q1: What does Nescod stand for?
A: No Electricity and Sustainable Cooling on Demand.

Q2: Which university developed the Nescod cooling system?
A: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.

Q3: What is the chemical formula of ammonium nitrate?
A: NH₄NO₃.

Q4: How much did the temperature drop during testing of Nescod?
A: From about 25°C to nearly 3.6°C in around 20 minutes.

Q5: What is endothermic dissolution?
A: A process in which a substance absorbs heat while dissolving in a liquid, causing the surroundings to cool down.

EXAM-FOCUSED POINTS

  • Name of system:  Nescod (No Electricity and Sustainable Cooling on Demand)

  • Developed by:  KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology), Saudi Arabia

  • Working principle:  Endothermic dissolution – heat absorbed when salt dissolves in water

  • Chemicals used:  Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) and water

  • Salt properties:  Inexpensive, readily available, easy to store

  • Test result:  25°C → 3.6°C in ~20 minutes

  • Efficiency:  Four times better than ammonium chloride

  • Energy source for salt regeneration:  Solar energy

  • No use of:  Compressors or continuous electrical power

  • Other KAUST cooling research:  Passive radiative cooling (Professor Qiaoqiang Gan); low-cost material from sodium polyacrylate and lithium chloride

  • Passive cooling definition:  Operates without compressors, motors, or continuous electrical input

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