Domestic wine cooler operated by a magnetic refrigeration system developed by Polo - UFSC

Researchers at POLO (Research Laboratories for Emerging Technologies in Cooling and Thermophysics) at the Federal University of Santa Catarina are developing an energy efficient magnetocaloric wine cooler which does not rely on flammable refrigerants or environmentally harmful substances.
The working principle is based on the magnetocaloric effect, which is the thermal response of some materials to the variation of a magnetic field. Thus, when the magnetic field is raised, the material temperature increases and, reversibly, the removal of the magnetic field reduces the temperature of the material.
The Active Magnetic Regenerators (or AMRs) are responsible for generating the refrigerating effect and, together with the magnet, play a role similar to that of the compressor in a conventional refrigerator. The magnetic refrigeration cycle uses water to remove heat from the wine cooler cabinet, lowering its temperature. The AMR itself consists of a porous solid metal that undergoes a temperature variation under the action of the magnetic field, alternatingly cooling down and heating up the flowing water.
In the present development stage, the system is equipped with flow, pressure, temperature, magnetic field and electrical power sensors to enable mapping the performance of the refrigeration unit. The ultimate goal of the project is to achieve temperature and cooling capacity specifications of a 31 bottle wine cooler, with an energy consumption compatible with that of a conventional appliance.

[@julioperez-delgadojr2976]

this is like going around the planet to knock on your neighbor's door.

[@SJ-xg1uf]

I like the design but I just wish that it could be used without electricity.

[@pauls5745]

a lofty goal but as we've seen in this technology, the overhead cost per BTU is extremely high, enough so that there is big resistance to invest in consumer-level applications. it still remains as a practical use for the cheap Gadolinium compounds as a research tool and possibly aerospace applications that currently use thermionic or electrothermal components

[@pranavvaidya3634]

Interesting

[@bruceluiz]

Considering that it requires a motor to continue moving the magnets, I wonder if electric energy could be REPLACED from outdoor applications by using a Wind Turbine instead...
Wonderful news. Brazil requires all the scientific and technical improvements as a way of setting aside our deep economic and social inequalities. Its a shame its being currently sabotaged by our government...

[@dieselphiend]

Incredible.

[@aadityashanmugam3872]

what is the magnetic flux of this magnet you use inside the refrigerator

[@aljawisa]

What I need to know is, does this thing click all night long while you're trying to sleep?

[@mitchelldalton7405]

Mmm interesting concept, wonder what the efficiency is?
I still like thermal-acoustic cooling, just need to get the efficiency over 15% lol

[@jorritmorrit]

It approaches 100%

[@darkopodbevsekster]

Lot cost of Gadolinium (rare mineral from China limited cool. Temperature ! Here in Slovenia &Germany try to find and research substitut for Gadolinium magnetic material.

[@stapuft]

doesn't this effect only work around the curie point? how do they manage to get it to cool below that temperature and still have it work?

[@chrisstubbs6391]

In simple terms, applying the magnetic field aligns the domains within the metal. This movement causes an increase in temperature above ambient. Heat is lost to environment. Remove magnetic field and domains randomize again. This causes the metal to cool. Heat inside the fridge moves to the metal and it returns to starting temperature. Cycle repeats and the effect is heat is pumped from space you're cooling to environment.
As for the curie temperature, depends on the metal, kind of like the refrigerants in typical compressor/expansion AC systems. Plenty of alloys have curie temps near ambient.

[@stapuft]

@@chrisstubbs6391 okay i understand that much as well, but again, how do they get it below that temperature, in order to make a fridge it needs to cool to well below ambient, if you were cooling a room, ambient would be fine, but a fridge needs to go to almost freezing, and a freezer, well, has to be below freezing.

[@chrisstubbs6391]

@@stapuft Again, its a material dependent thing, as well as magnetic field strength. Magnetic cooling was what was used to achieve 0.5k, almost absolute 0 for the first time in the 1930s. 0.5k is significantly colder than freezing. Just saying.

[@RynaxAlien]

Are miniature versions available for small electronics? How they compare to peltier?

[@unitittii]

ua-cam.com/video/YGxTnGEAx3E/v-deo.html

[@ss-sq1hn]

Where is all the heat going?

[@Bhatt_Hole]

To heaven, of course. Duh.

[@falcon127]

ua-cam.com/video/KrQR8h4NKk0/v-deo.html&ab_channel=HKMVision3Sixty

[@ss-sq1hn]

@@Dave-rd6sp LOL, i know this but what is the component radiating heat to outside air?

[@aljawisa]

00:35 What is that material? Unobtainium.

[@dejanpesic3038]

Gadolinium

[@Bhatt_Hole]

Vibranium

[@aadityashanmugam3872]

gadolinium though there are many more possible substitutes it has been suggested that an iron-boron could be possibly used which I don't know much to comment about

[@darkopodbevsekster]

Gadolinijum is expensiv now here in europe try to find substitut for gadolinium!