FROSTBIT Video: Discover Sustainable Solid-State Cooling via the Barocaloric Effect

May 2026

The FROSTBIT project, a key initiative within the EIC Pathfinder Clean and Efficient Cooling portfolio, is paving the way for a major paradigm shift in refrigeration technology. As global temperatures rise, the demand for cooling increases exponentially, creating an environmental paradox: traditional vapor-compression systems rely on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases, and consume vast amounts of electrical energy.

FROSTBIT aims to break this cycle by developing a completely new class of refrigeration: solid-state cooling. Instead of compressing harmful gases, the project utilizes the barocaloric effect in innovative molecular materials, specifically Spin Crossover (SCO) systems. By applying pressure to these advanced solid materials, the system induces phase transitions that absorb and release heat with unprecedented energy efficiency, zero direct emissions, and low operating pressures.

To bridge the gap between high-level laboratory research and the society it aims to protect, the FROSTBIT consortium has launched its official outreach video. Designed in a clear, accessible, and engaging language for all audiences, the video breaks down the complex physics of solid-state cooling into an intuitive narrative. It guides the viewer through the problem with current fridges, introduces the innovative molecular materials being developed by the consortium, and showcases the ultimate goal: building a functional, emission-free, solid-state refrigerator prototype.

Watch the animated outreach video below to discover how small molecular changes can lead to a massive global impact!