Refrigeration has largely remained a century-old technology. But a startup called Barocal is changing that with an innovative solid-state cooling method. By squeezing plastic crystal materials, they can cool food and drinks as effectively as current vapor-compression systems but use less energy and emit no harmful gases.

The founder, Xavier Moya, drew inspiration from his childhood in Spain and his academic work on materials physics. His tech works by compressing solid materials to release heat, then allowing them to absorb it again when decompressed. This process is used to transfer heat out of fridges, making the air inside cooler.

Barocal has raised $10 million for their game-changing tech, attracting investors like World Fund and Breakthrough Energy Discovery. They aim to scale up this technology, initially targeting large commercial systems where energy savings could be significant. For now, they're focusing on efficiency gains in big HVAC and refrigeration units.

This plastic crystal approach not only promises a greener future but also opens new possibilities for cooling tech beyond fridges, from portable coolers to more sustainable building climate control.