Abstract: Adsorption refrigeration can make good use of low grade thermal energy efficiently. Based upon the recent progress of research in SJTU and in the world, a review is made and discussions are given to the application potential of solid sorption refrigeration and heat pump. Novel adsorption refrigeration working pairs, such as activated carbon fiber-methanol are proposed after comparison with normal activated carbon-methanol pair. The means to enhance heat and mass transfer in the adsorption bed and the design of adsorber are discussed. Various advanced adsorption refrigeration cycles, such as heat recovery cycle, thermal wave cycle, convective thermal wave cycle, double effect cascading cycle are analyzed and typical simulated results are shown. Solar-driven adsorption ice maker is specially examined for possible applications. A new novel hybrid solar-powered water heater / ice maker is suggested which makes good use of solar heating for both hot water supply and ice making. Automotive air conditioning is discussed,which shows the great expectations for such reasonable applications of adsorption air conditioning in automobiles driven by the waste heat of the exhaust gas.