Pascal raises funding for solid-state cooling material
Pascal, a startup developing solid-state refrigerant materials, raised $8.5 million in an extension of its seed round. The company says its material can make refrigerators and heat pumps about 20% more efficient, and it has a pilot deal with a multinational beverage company. Pascal expects a first prototype early next year and a more polished refrigerator batch in 2028.
Pascal was founded by Adam Slavney, CEO, and Jinyoung Seo, CTO. Its $8.5 million extension was co-led by Sazze Partners and LB Investment, with KDB Silicon Valley also participating. The startup’s approach compresses carbon dioxide into cartridges containing a proprietary porous material; paired cartridges alternate heating and cooling roles.
The technology targets refrigerators and heat pumps, which share core mechanics. Pascal reports a pilot agreement with a multinational beverage company and aims to deliver an initial prototype next year, followed by a more refined refrigerator batch in 2028. Solid-state refrigerants are attractive because they cannot leak into the atmosphere.
If Pascal’s material performs as hoped, more efficient cooling could affect households, businesses, and beverage manufacturers through lower energy use and potentially reduced refrigerant leakage. The pilot may show whether the approach works outside the lab, while the 2028 target suggests adoption could be gradual. Consumers and appliance makers could benefit, but costs, manufacturing scale, and real-world reliability may shape how widely the technology spreads.