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Teenagers create an innovative solution to preserve vaccines and medicines without using electricity, changing the reality of hospitals in remote areas.
Three young inventors from India have developed a solution that could transform the transportation and storage of medicines in regions without reliable access to electricity. They have created a salt-powered refrigerator, called Thermavault, that does not require electricity or batteries to operate. The young inventors' project has attracted global attention and earned them the Champions of the Earth Award 2025, promoted by the UN.
The invention not only guarantees adequate temperatures for vaccines and medicines for up to 12 hours, but is also already being used: 200 units of the refrigerator are being deployed in 120 hospitals in India for testing.
Electricity-Free Refrigerator: A Real and Affordable Solution
The development of the electricity-free, salt-powered refrigerator arose from the concerns of students Dhruv Chaudhary, Mithran Ladhania and Mridul Jain, residents of Indore, with the difficulty of preserving vaccines in remote regions. Inspired by their parents' work in the health sector, the young people invested in research to find a cheap, sustainable and effective method of refrigeration.
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The system works thanks to a chemical reaction between specific salts and water, capable of maintaining the internal temperature between 2°C and 6°C — ideal for most vaccines and sensitive drugs. In improved versions, using barium hydroxide, the Thermavault can even reach temperatures below zero.
How does the salt-powered refrigerator work?
Initially, the teens tested more than 150 types of salts before arriving at an optimized formula that uses just 20 different salts. When mixed with water, these salts trigger an endothermic reaction — that is, they absorb heat from the environment, promoting internal cooling.
This cooling method:
- Dispenses with the use of electricity or any external power source;
- Keeps vaccines and medications cold for long periods;
- It is economical and easy to manufacture, ideal for rural areas and hospitals with limited infrastructure;
- Reduces medication losses, especially in emergencies or humanitarian crises.
According to orthopedic surgeon Pritesh Vyas, who tested the technology at V One hospital, Thermavault kept vaccines in ideal conditions for 10 to 12 hours. He stressed that only minor adjustments would be needed for their widespread adoption.
Thermavault’s social impact and future
With the $12.500 prize received from the UN, the young inventors began production of the first 200 units of the salt-powered refrigerator, which will be distributed to hospitals in critical areas of India. The expectation is that, in addition to vaccines, the Thermavault may also be able to preserve organs for transplantation and other essential medical supplies in the future.
Innovation has the potential to meet demands all over the world, especially in places affected by energy crises, conflicts or natural disasters.
The invention of refrigerator without electricity, powered by salt shows how the creativity and dedication of young people can generate practical solutions to complex problems. By transforming science into concrete social impact, Dhruv, Mithran and Mridul inspire new generations to innovate for a more sustainable and inclusive world.
Source: AOL
