SIU Researchers Receive $523K Grant for Energy-Efficient Cooling

The 3-year project will explore solid-state materials for more efficient building cooling.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 1:39pm

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Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale have received a $523,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to study new, energy-efficient cooling technology over the next three years. The project will explore solid-state materials that could cool buildings using less electricity than traditional air-conditioning systems.

Why it matters

Improving the energy efficiency of cooling systems is crucial for reducing electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This research could lead to more sustainable cooling solutions for buildings, which account for a significant portion of overall energy use.

The details

The three-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy will explore solid-state materials that could provide cooling for buildings using less electricity than traditional air-conditioning systems. Researchers at SIU Carbondale will study these alternative cooling technologies with the goal of developing more energy-efficient solutions.

  • The 3-year project began in January 2026.

The players

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

A public research university located in Carbondale, Illinois.

U.S. Department of Energy

The federal agency responsible for policies regarding energy and nuclear power in the United States.

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The takeaway

This research grant highlights the ongoing efforts to develop more energy-efficient cooling technologies that could significantly reduce the environmental impact of building climate control systems.