Solid state refers to a type of technology that uses semiconductor devices to replace mechanical (moving) parts. The term solid state first originated in the 1960s, during the dawn of the semiconductor era of technology. At that time, "solid state" was used to describe semiconductors, which transfer electricity in a solid state as opposed to older vacuum tubes, which transferred electricity into a gaseous state.
Nearly all electronic devices that are in use today are solid state, meaning they rely on semiconductors. After the transistor was invented in 1947, solid state technology enabled the rapid development of portable devices and computers. Now, semiconductor technology powers popular consumer electronics such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and smart watches. Solid state technology has proven to be much more energy efficient and a lot less bulky than legacy alternatives such as vacuum tubes.
Solid State Technology and Phononic
Phononic has been an innovator of solid state technology to deliver a better and more sustainable way to create cooling. In fact, our solid state refrigerators in food & beverage retail are the first of their kind on the market. Our food and beverage refrigerators fit perfectly on checkout counters, on end caps or behind bars.
Our medical grade refrigerators for life sciences and healthcare are the only solid state refrigerators that have been certified to ENERGY STAR®. And without noisy compressors, our fridges are nearly silent at just 35dB, so they can be placed in patient rooms to reduce the risk of cross-contamination- all without disturbing the patient.
Solid state refrigerators offer better energy efficiency than traditional refrigerators. Without the bulky compressors of the past, Phononic refrigerators give you more storage space (up to 40% more) in a small footprint. And the temperature stability is significantly better than compressor-based refrigerators- 20X better, in fact. This provides more consistent and even cooling, to better protect food, breast milk, and vaccines.
In the world of electronic components, Phononic designs and develops thermoelectric coolers (called TECs). These TECs are used to cool lasers inside fiber optic network cables in data centers. Our TECs, which are produced in a US-based, ISO-certified, automated manufacturing facility, provide up to 30% less energy consumption and up to 60% higher heat pumping density as compared to typical TEC performance. And because our process control is unrivaled in the industry, our quality is unparalleled.