Using Magnets to Cool Your Refrigerator

[Nathanael]

The U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratories are doing some really amazing things.


If you’re not a physicist you’ve probably never heard of the magnetocaloric effect. But scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Lab think the phenomenon could someday be used to keep food cold – using a large magnet like a block of ice.



Link: http://www.energyboom.com/emerging/using-magnets-cool-your-refrigerator

[Trajan]

1. I prefer the food pyramid ...

Literally; a pyramid over my food bags ...

:silly:

[Ian David]

2. Notice the Human Rights Campaign sticker on the fridge in the photo?

http://www.energyboom.com/emerging/using-magnets-cool-your-refrigerator

[Dogmudgeon]

3. I've heard of the magnetocaloric effect

Also the thermoacoustic effect and the Peltier effect. And I'm no physicist. But I do read a lot. And I'm an electronic gadgeteer.

Peltier junction devices are pretty inexpensive now, and they sell mini beer/soda coolers that have a Peltier junction device that keeps a can or two cold.

The problem is that these cooling methods are still very inefficient.

--d!

[unpossibles]

4. very cool! nt

[Sherman A1]

5. Cool

[guruoo]

6. I wonder where they got this idea ...

[madokie]

9. Are they not aware that the door can be hinged from either side

What a dumb ass this person has to be to not know that.

[guruoo]

10. Ahh, err, really?

:freak:


(kidding, web pic, not my fridge)

[madokie]

11. I wasn't referring to you

I figured it was a web photo
my bad sorry :hi:

[liberal N proud]

7. Refrigerator Magnets

I have been ahead of these guys for years.

:rofl:

[provis99]

8. my fridge is already cool

what I want to know is, how do I warm it up?