Nano-engineered superlattice thermoelectrics for compressor-free cooling
CHESS (Controlled Hierarchically Engineered Superlattice Structures) is an advanced, nano-engineered thermoelectric cooling technology developed by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. By utilizing thin-film materials manufactured through scalable semiconductor processes, CHESS offers a compact, efficient, and compressor-free alternative to traditional refrigeration, significantly outperforming bulk thermoelectric devices in integrated system tests.
Overview
Controlled Hierarchically Engineered Superlattice Structures (CHESS) is a breakthrough solid-state thermoelectric cooling technology developed by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. By utilizing nano-engineered thin-film materials, CHESS enables highly efficient, compact, and scalable cooling without the need for mechanical compressors or chemical refrigerants. This technology addresses the limitations of traditional bulk thermoelectric materials, offering a sustainable, quiet, and reliable alternative for diverse refrigeration applications ranging from portable devices to large-scale HVAC systems.
Technical specifications
- Nano-engineered thermoelectric materials that move heat via electrons.
- Nearly 100% improvement in material-level efficiency compared to traditional bulk thermoelectric materials at room temperature.
- Delivers up to 70% greater performance in integrated system-level refrigeration tests.
- Manufactured using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), a scalable, cost-effective, and industry-standard semiconductor process.
- Minimizes resource consumption, requiring as little as 0.003 cubic centimeters of active material per unit.
- Versatile functionality capable of both active cooling and energy harvesting from temperature differentials.
Technology readiness level
The technology has reached TRL 5-6. It has successfully transitioned from laboratory research to a demonstrated prototype in a fully integrated refrigeration system, with results validated through joint testing and thermal modeling with industrial partners. It has been recognized as a top emerging technology through the 2025 R&D 100 Awards. Further efforts are focused on scaling the technology for larger systems, such as freezers and HVAC equipment.
About Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University is a comprehensive private research university headquartered in Baltimore with a large research enterprise and a culture of discovery and translation. Integrated with a major academic health system, the university offers access to clinicians, patient populations, biorepositories, and audited trial operations. A research park near the medical campus, plus startup incubators and corporate engagement teams, enable co-location, pilots, and fast iteration. A major university‑affiliated research center expands applied R&D and prototyping capacity, and proximity to Washington, DC links partners to federal agencies and regulators. Research is supported by federal funding from NIH, NSF, DoD, and others, and a dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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