It’s mouldable, biocompatible and glitters like gold. Plastic that can conduct an electric charge is a material that can be used for everything from sensors that can monitor our health to self-cooling clothing or electronic adhesive plasters that can be applied to the skin and send data directly to a mobile phone. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden recently presented a ground-breaking ‘recipe’ that makes it easier to manufacture this kind of sought-after electrically conductive plastic in larger quantities – without the use of harmful chemicals, and in a much more cost-effective way.  

“Once higher production volumes are achieved, it is possible to work with the material in a completely different way. Larger quantities are needed to enable the development of a range of applications, for example in biotechnology, energy storage, and wearable electronics,” says Christian Müller, Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers and co-author of a study recently published in Science Advances.

Improving energy consumption, performance and reliability of steam compression systems used for heating or cooling are some of the benefits of the new system developed by the Thermal and Energy Systems Engineering (ISTENER) research group at the Universitat Jaume I in Castelló, coordinated by Professor Joaquín Navarro. In addition, this invention reduces the risk of degradation of certain critical components and working fluids and, under extreme operating conditions, the system helps to maintain operating temperatures within the limits of standard commercial components, thereby reducing the costs associated with the operation and maintenance of steam compression systems.The industrial invention falls within the field of cold and/or heat production using vapour compression installations (air conditioning and refrigeration systems and industrial applications of high-temperature heat pumps). It has a prototype that has been validated in a laboratory environment and is ready for development and adaptation to specific applications and subsequent licensing agreements. 

With the theme “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Life,” FIRS is highlighting practical steps individuals and communities can take - and leading two global initiatives to transform how lung diseases are diagnosed and treated.