Russian Researchers Invent Highly Efficient Magnetic Refrigerator

Russian engineers have designed a next-generation refrigerator cooled by magnetic metal instead of evaporating liquid, which improves energy efficiency by 30 to 40 percent, the NUST MISIS press service told RIA Novosti.

Researchers fromthe National University ofScience and Technology MISIS and Tver State University have developed a new type ofrefrigerator based ona solid-state magnetic system that improves energy efficiency by30 to40 percent compared togas compressors used inconventional refrigerators, the university said ina statement. The new design is based onthe magnetocaloric effect inwhich a magnetic field changes the temperature ofmagnetic material.

Senior research fellow atNUST MISIS, Dmitry Karpenkov, told RIA Novosti that the developers view asthe main achievement the cascade effect inwhich gadolinium metal bars are placed ona special wheel that puts them ina magnetic field byspinning ata high speed.

According toKarpenkov, this is a relatively young technology that is only about20 years old. Still, Russian researchers were the first toimplement the cascade principle. Existing devices are not designed tolower temperatures dramatically and can only maintain a certain temperature.

The researcher also discussed plans forthe future. The developers intend tocontinue working onthe cascade principle inorder toexpand the temperature range that can be achieved bythis refrigerator. So far its temperatures vary by10 degrees, butthis range could be expanded to12 to15 degrees.

Karpenkov noted that the test unit's dimensions do not exceed 15 cm. It is believed that the main applications ofthis compact device will come incar air conditioners and microprocessor cooling systems.

(SPUTNIK)