Dr. Jingyuan Xu, a leading scientist from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), has been awarded the prestigious “For Women in Science” sponsorship prize in a ceremony held on September 18, 2025, in Düsseldorf. This significant accolade acknowledges her groundbreaking contributions to the development of environmentally sustainable cooling technologies. Dr. Xu’s pioneering work focuses on revolutionary approaches essential for mitigating the environmental impact of conventional cooling and heating systems. Alongside three other distinguished female scientists from Germany, she was honored with the EUR 25,000 award, a recognition jointly conferred by L’Oréal, the German Commission for UNESCO, and the German Humboldt Network. Since its inception in 1998, the “For Women in Science” initiative has sought to elevate the visibility and influence of exceptional women in science worldwide, underscoring their vital role in global scientific advancement.
In the words of Professor Dr. Oliver Kraft, Vice President for Academic Affairs at KIT, “This award celebrates Dr. Xu’s visionary scientific achievements rooted in a socially relevant domain. Her work on cooling technologies addresses a fundamental need that profoundly intersects with societal welfare, economic vitality, and ecological sustainability.” Dr. Kraft highlights that the award not only recognizes Dr. Xu’s scientific excellence but also emphasizes the indispensable contributions of female scientists in driving global research and technological development forward.
Dr. Jingyuan Xu’s research group at KIT, the ZEco Thermal Lab, established in 2021 under her leadership, concentrates on the development of zero-emission, eco-friendly heating and cooling systems through the exploitation of the elastocaloric effect. The elastocaloric phenomenon refers to the property of certain solid-state materials that undergo temperature changes when subjected to mechanical stress and subsequent release, enabling cooling or heating without relying on chemically harmful refrigerants. This represents a transformative leap away from traditional vapor compression systems, which contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions through their use of high-global warming potential (GWP) fluids.
The implications of Xu’s work are particularly momentous considering the global prevalence of cooling units. Over three billion air conditioning units are in operation worldwide, consuming approximately 20 percent of global electricity. Current predominant technologies are entrenched in 19th-century mechanistic designs—compression refrigeration relying on volatile refrigerants with severe environmental ramifications. By pioneering elastocaloric-based alternatives, Dr. Xu’s research confronts these challenges head-on, offering scalable solutions that could dramatically reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption.
Within the ZEco Thermal Lab, diverse applications are under exploration, ranging from micro-level cooling solutions, such as those needed in sensitive electronic devices and microprocessors, to large-scale appliances including residential refrigerators and commercial air conditioning systems. This multifaceted approach illustrates the adaptability of elastocaloric materials and devices, making them feasible replacements for traditional refrigeration technologies in multiple sectors. Xu emphasizes the necessity of reimagining cooling technology from foundational physics principles to address the urgent climate emergency effectively.
Dr. Xu expressed profound gratitude for the recognition, remarking, “This award affirms the value of my research and I am hopeful it serves as an inspiration to young women worldwide to engage in scientific endeavors addressing the planet’s critical challenges. Our future depends on innovative ideas to protect the environment and ensure a habitable world.” Her statement resonates deeply within the continuing global dialogue about gender equity in science and the urgency of sustainable technological innovation.
The broader “For Women in Science” program, bearing the motto “The world needs science, and science needs women,” has been instrumental in championing female scientific talent since 1998. Founded through a collaboration between the Fondation L’Oréal and UNESCO, and launched in Germany in 2007, the program has awarded nearly 4,400 women scientists across the globe. Remarkably, seven laureates stemming from this initiative have achieved Nobel Prize recognition, underscoring its profound impact. Within Germany alone, more than 50 early-career female researchers have been supported, signaling a critical advancement towards gender parity in STEM fields.
From a technical standpoint, the elastocaloric effect utilized by Dr. Xu’s team is part of a class of solid-state cooling technologies often termed “caloric effects,” which also include magnetocaloric, electrocaloric, and barocaloric phenomena. These effects rely on reversible entropy changes in materials—driven by external stimuli such as stress or magnetic fields—to produce cooling with high efficiency. Unlike conventional vapor compression systems, elastocaloric cooling eliminates the environmental drawbacks of greenhouse gases, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which have long been the standard refrigerants but are significant contributors to global warming.
KIT stands at the forefront of such pioneering research, integrating expertise across disciplines to address energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. As “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association,” KIT mobilizes over 10,000 employees with a diverse academic focus spanning natural sciences, engineering, economics, and humanities. With an enrollment of approximately 22,800 students, the institute is committed to training future leaders capable of scientific innovation and social responsibility. The activities of the ZEco Thermal Lab perfectly embody KIT’s mission to bridge high-level scientific insights with real-world applications for societal benefit.
The urgency for alternative cooling technologies extends beyond environmental concerns. Rising global temperatures and increasing urbanization have heightened dependence on air conditioning, exacerbating energy demand peaks and straining power grids. Thus, Dr. Xu’s research not only offers ecological advantages but also presents pathways to enhance energy security and reduce operational costs for consumers worldwide. Her group’s ongoing efforts to optimize elastocaloric materials—improving their fatigue resistance, thermal conductivity, and mechanical performance—aim to overcome current barriers to commercialization.
Moreover, Dr. Xu’s work aligns with international efforts to phase down the use of high-GWP refrigerants, as mandated by agreements such as the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. By advancing solid-state and refrigerant-free cooling solutions, the ZEco Thermal Lab is contributing directly to global climate action goals. The successful deployment of these technologies on a broad scale could revolutionize how heating and cooling systems are designed, offering a sustainable alternative that integrates seamlessly into existing infrastructure.
Looking forward, the interdisciplinary and applied nature of Xu’s research invites collaboration from materials science, mechanical engineering, and environmental policy sectors. To maximize impact, the lab prioritizes not only technological innovation but also lifecycle assessments and economic viability studies—key components for ensuring that the resulting cooling devices are accessible and sustainable in diverse markets.
Dr. Jingyuan Xu’s recognition through the “For Women in Science” award highlights the critical intersection of gender, scientific excellence, and environmental stewardship. As the fight against climate change intensifies, the contributions of women scientists like Dr. Xu demonstrate that innovative research—when paired with inclusive support and visibility—can drive transformative solutions for global challenges. Her achievements serve as a beacon for emerging researchers and reinforce the message that the future of science and technology depends on diverse perspectives dedicated to the planet’s well-being.
Subject of Research: Environmentally sustainable cooling technologies based on elastocaloric effects
Article Title: Dr. Jingyuan Xu’s pioneering research in eco-friendly cooling wins “For Women in Science” award 2025
News Publication Date: September 18, 2025
Web References:
– https://www.unesco.de/aktuelles/loreal-unesco-foerderpreis-for-women-in-science-2025/
– https://www.imt.kit.edu/3484.php
Keywords: elastocaloric cooling, sustainable technology, zero-emission heating and cooling, climate-friendly refrigeration, solid-state cooling, female scientists, environmental innovation, air conditioning alternatives, greenhouse gas reduction, KIT research, For Women in Science award, green technology
