# Transforming Cooling Systems for Energy Efficiency and Global Impact with Ross Bonner

- Show: [Hardware to Save a Planet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet)
- Published: 2025-01-30
- Length: 45m
- Episode: 71
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-01-30-transforming-cooling-systems-for-energy-efficiency-and-global-impact-with-ross-b
- Listen: https://podcasts.fame.so/e/rnkm3w6n-transforming-cooling-systems-for-energy-efficiency-ross-bonner

## Summary

Ross Bonner, CTO and co-founder of Transaera, explains how his company uses metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to create air conditioning systems that use 40% less energy than conventional units by decoupling dehumidification from cooling. Bonner details the transition from GE Aerospace to MIT, where he and co-founders Serene Gnanamanickam and Mirchadinka combined 15 years of MOF research with a focus on HVAC efficiency to address the global equity crisis in cooling access. The team developed a desiccant wheel architecture that integrates with standard rooftop HVAC equipment, allowing for rapid adoption by manufacturers without requiring new installation processes. They are currently validating the technology through commercial pilot programs, aiming to scale production as MOF manufacturing costs decrease to eventually serve underserved markets in hot, humid regions.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-01-30-transforming-cooling-systems-for-energy-efficiency-and-global-impact-with-ross-b#t=0) Introduction: Ross Bonner and Transaera's Mission
- [3:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-01-30-transforming-cooling-systems-for-energy-efficiency-and-global-impact-with-ross-b#t=181) Bonner's Career Path from GE Aerospace to MIT
- [7:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-01-30-transforming-cooling-systems-for-energy-efficiency-and-global-impact-with-ross-b#t=472) The Equity Crisis in Global Cooling Access
- [12:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-01-30-transforming-cooling-systems-for-energy-efficiency-and-global-impact-with-ross-b#t=732) The Three Climate Impacts of Air Conditioning
- [16:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-01-30-transforming-cooling-systems-for-energy-efficiency-and-global-impact-with-ross-b#t=995) Transaera's MOF Technology and Desiccant Wheels
- [22:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-01-30-transforming-cooling-systems-for-energy-efficiency-and-global-impact-with-ross-b#t=1333) Commercial Strategy and OEM Partnerships
- [29:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-01-30-transforming-cooling-systems-for-energy-efficiency-and-global-impact-with-ross-b#t=1768) Technical Deep Dive: Regeneration and Efficiency
- [34:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-01-30-transforming-cooling-systems-for-energy-efficiency-and-global-impact-with-ross-b#t=2056) Pilot Programs and Commercialization Roadmap
- [36:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-01-30-transforming-cooling-systems-for-energy-efficiency-and-global-impact-with-ross-b#t=2178) Scaling for Underserved Markets and Impact Investing

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Transaera (company)
- GE Aerospace (company)
- MIT (other)
- metal-organic frameworks (material)
- MOF (material)
- R 410 A (other)
- Willis Carrier (other)
- Elemental Impact (company)
- Fleet Robotics (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Unlocking hyper-efficient cooling](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-03-03-unlocking-hyper-efficient-cooling) (Catalyst)
- [S1E03 This ain’t your grandma’s cooling technology | David Binger](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-05-01-s1e03-this-aint-your-grandmas-cooling-technology-david-binger) (Being an Engineer)
- [211. Cooling Buildings With Porous Plastic Sheets](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-02-18-211-cooling-buildings-with-porous-plastic-sheets) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [HIBT Lab! SOURCE Global: Cody Friesen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-15-hibt-lab-source-global-cody-friesen) (How I Built This)
- [Using IoT Solutions to Optimize HVAC Costs: A Discussion with Rahul Subramany, Co-Founder of Monaire](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-02-15-using-iot-solutions-to-optimize-hvac-costs-a-discussion-with-rahul-subramany-co) (Over the Air)

## Citing this page

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