IIT Delhi graduates develop independent refrigeration system for food transport

Shaivee Malik, a 25-year-old IIT Delhi graduate, along with Vivek Mahindrakar and Dharmik Bapodara, has developed a new refrigeration system designed to improve India’s cold chain infrastructure.

Traditional refrigeration units in cargo vehicles are typically connected to the vehicle's engine. This requires the engine to remain running even when the vehicle is stationary or stuck in traffic to maintain temperature, leading to high diesel consumption and increased carbon emissions.

The new system operates independently of the truck's engine by using a separate lithium-ion battery to power the refrigeration unit. This allows for continuous temperature maintenance during traffic congestion or while the vehicle is parked without additional fuel consumption.