PAU Secures Patent for Eco-Friendly Mobile Refrigeration System to Reduce Post-Harvest Losses
LUDHIANA: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, has been granted a patent for an innovative “Mobile Thermoelectric Refrigeration System” designed for the small-scale storage and transportation of fruits and vegetables. The eco-friendly technology aims to preserve the freshness, texture and nutritional quality of horticultural produce for extended periods, offering a sustainable solution for post-harvest management and cold-chain applications.
The patented refrigeration system operates on the thermoelectric cooling principle based on the Peltier effect, wherein heat transfer occurs when direct current (DC) passes through two dissimilar semiconductor materials. Unlike conventional refrigeration systems, the developed unit functions without the use of compressors or refrigerants, thereby eliminating harmful environmental impacts commonly associated with mechanical cooling technologies. The system demonstrated a coefficient of performance (COP) of 0.85 during evaluation.
The technology has been jointly developed by a team of scientists comprising Dr. Gagandeep Kaur Sidhu, Principal Scientist; Dr. Chavan Prasad, Post-Doctoral Fellow and former Ph.D. student; Dr. M.S. Alam, Principal Scientist; and Dr. Mahesh Kumar, Additional Director of Research (Agricultural Engineering) and Professor.
Congratulating the inventors on the achievement, Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU, appreciated the team for developing innovative technologies aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector and minimizing post-harvest losses. He emphasized that such sustainable interventions are vital for enhancing the efficiency of agricultural supply chains.
Dr. Manjeet Singh, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, also congratulated the scientists and highlighted the significance of the technology in maintaining the quality and shelf life of fresh produce during transportation and retail marketing without causing adverse environmental effects.
Dr. Mahesh Kumar stated that the refrigeration system has been specifically engineered for field-deployable applications and can effectively serve as a storage-cum-mobile refrigeration unit for farmers, street vendors and other small-scale stakeholders engaged in fresh produce marketing.
Dr. Khushdeep Dharni, Associate Director, Technology Marketing and IPR Cell, and Dr. Tarsem Chand Mittal, Head, Department of Processing and Food Engineering, also lauded the research team for their contribution towards sustainable cold-chain technologies and innovations in agricultural engineering.
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