Three high school students from Madhya Pradesh, India, have developed a groundbreaking salt-powered refrigerator called the Thermavault, which operates without electricity. The device, powered by ionocaloric cooling, earned the students the 2025 Earth Prize and a $12,500 award. The Thermavault uses salts like ammonium chloride to achieve cooling temperatures as low as -10°C, making it suitable for preserving food and medicine in areas without reliable power. The team collaborated with a material sciences expert to optimize their design, showcasing the potential of their invention for off-grid living, disaster relief, and rural healthcare. The Thermavault represents a sustainable innovation with far-reaching implications for communities lacking access to electricity.
