Pascal raises $8.5m for solid refrigerant technology

Pascal, a startup originating from Harvard University, has secured $8.5 million in follow-on funding to deploy its barocaloric solid refrigerant technology. The funding round was co-led by Sazze Partners and LB Investment, with participation from KDB Silicon Valley.

The company’s technology utilizes metal-halide perovskites to drive a solid-to-solid phase change through pressure changes. This method functions similarly to traditional gas-liquid cooling systems but uses non-flammable, PFAS-free solid materials. The system operates at conventional pressures, avoiding the high stress associated with other solid-state solutions. Experimental tests indicate a 20% increase in efficiency compared to traditional refrigerants and the ability to withstand up to 300,000 cycles.

Pascal has signed a pilot contract with a multinational beverage manufacturer to validate energy efficiency and cost improvements. While current commercial efforts focus on beverage cooling, the company intends to scale the technology for HVAC applications and large-scale cooling for buildings and data centers. The first prototype is expected in early 2027, with production-scale refrigerators planned for 2028.