Helixcore

Kinowave

Helixcore

A biomimetic retrofit insert that boosts air conditioner efficiency by up to 5x, enabling low-cost, high-impact cooling worldwide.

Tamil Nadu, India

IND

Not registered as any organization

India’s need for cooling is soaring as summers grow hotter and longer, placing unprecedented pressure on the national power grid. In FY 2024–25, peak electricity demand hit 250 GW and is projected to exceed 273 GW by mid-2025—driven largely by air conditioner (AC) usage. The International Energy Agency estimates that by 2050, cooling alone could account for 45% of India’s peak power demand. Between 2019 and 2022, electricity use for cooling rose by 21%, while household AC ownership jumped from 10% to 24%. Yet only 3% of Indian households use energy-efficient models, and over 65% of AC components are imported—deepening technology dependency and inflating costs. This growing demand has already stressed the grid. In 2022, India faced its worst power shortage in over six years, leading to blackouts in several states. Globally, space cooling emitted 1 billion tonnes of CO₂ in 2022, with India among the top contributors. Without scalable, efficient, and affordable solutions, India risks a future of grid overload, rising emissions, and widening energy inequality. The urgent need is for retrofit-friendly innovations that enhance AC efficiency without requiring full system replacement.

Air conditioners and refrigerators work by evaporating and condensing a refrigerant inside copper tubes to transfer heat. For this to happen efficiently, heat must transfer effectively between the refrigerant and the tube surface. When this heat exchange is poor, the refrigerant fails to fully evaporate or condense, leading to wasted energy and lower cooling performance. Our patent-pending solution, HelixCore, is a spiral-shaped metal insert designed to fit inside the evaporator and condenser coils of existing systems. Inspired by the DNA double helix, it mimics nature’s efficient fluid flow structures to enhance heat transfer. HelixCore improves efficiency through three key mechanisms: - It introduces micro-turbulence to break up smooth (laminar) refrigerant flow. - It increases internal surface area for more effective phase change. - It enhances contact between refrigerant droplets and tube walls. Together, these effects enable complete evaporation and condensation, boosting heat transfer and improving system efficiency by up to 5x, all without significant pressure drop. HelixCore is made from recyclable materials like aluminum or copper, is low-cost, scalable, and easy to retrofit—making it ideal for both residential and industrial applications. It’s a simple, nature-inspired innovation that dramatically improves cooling while reducing energy use and emissions.

Our solution primarily serves Indian households, the national power grid, and the environment, with broader global relevance. With AC ownership rising from 10% to 24% and projected to reach over 50% by 2037, India's cooling demand is accelerating—expected to account for 45% of peak power load by 2050. Yet most households still rely on inefficient systems, pushing up costs and straining the grid. HelixCore, by improving evaporator efficiency, can reduce power consumption by up to 50%, saving households 500 kWh annually—translating to 20–30% lower electricity bills for middle- and low-income families. If adopted by just half of India’s AC users, it could reduce peak demand by over 27 GW—greater than the total power capacity of Rajasthan or Bihar. For utilities, this eases grid stress and lowers the risk of blackouts during summer surges. For the planet, scaling our solution nationwide could prevent up to 500 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. As a retrofittable, made-in-India innovation, it also reduces dependence on imported parts (currently 65–70%) and boosts local manufacturing and job creation—making it a win for people, planet, and the economy.