Articles tagged with Refrigerators
Researchers at Saarland University have developed energy-efficient geometries for elastocaloric cooling elements using 3D printing. The technology uses shape-memory alloys to release heat when stretched and absorb it when released, promising a cleaner alternative to traditional cooling methods.
The study found that product lifetimes for large appliances in Norwegian households remained relatively consistent over the decades, except for washing machines and ovens. Washing machine lifetimes decreased by 45% due to increased laundry cycles, while oven lifetimes decreased by 39% likely due to renovation trends and changing kitche...
University of Missouri researcher Kelli Canada is using a $2.8 million grant to transform prison conditions in four Missouri prisons. Her multi-pronged mission includes staff training, physical space changes, skill building for residents, and community connections.
Researchers at MIT have observed a rare electronic state in which electrons become fractions of their total charge without the need for external magnetic fields. This effect, known as the fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect, has significant implications for the development of topological quantum computing.
A novel bypass configuration eliminates temperature matching constraints, achieving energy flow field synergy and significantly improving efficiency. The system outperforms existing HDTRs, comparable to double-effect absorption refrigerators.
Scientists at Lancaster University have discovered that superfluid helium-3 behaves like a two-dimensional system when probed with mechanical resonators. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of superfluidity and its potential applications in various fields.
The study reveals that quantum thermal machines exhibit distinct synchronization behavior, with cooperation and competition emerging among different components. The researchers found that cooperation manifests in harmony-like synchrony, while competition thrives in chaotic conditions.
Researchers at UIUC use 4D-STEM to resolve magnetic behavior on angstrom scale, breaking record for atomic resolution. They achieve this by combining electron microscopy with simulations using software package Magnstem.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg discovered that insulin can be stored at room temperature for four weeks, quadrupling its previous storage period. This finding has significant implications for global health, particularly in developing countries where insulin is often in short supply and expensive.
Researchers developed a wireless communication system that enables quantum computers to send and receive data using high-speed terahertz waves, reducing power consumption and error-causing heat. The system uses a transceiver chip and tiny mirrors to transmit data wirelessly, making it suitable for large-scale quantum systems.
Researchers from the University of Johannesburg deployed Few Shot Learning (FSL) for NIALM, a non-intrusive appliance load monitoring system. FSL requires only 7 test images to recognize appliances with 97.83% accuracy, making it faster and more cost-effective than traditional Machine Learning.
A Cornell University study found that consumers will use milk carton QR codes to better depict how long the milk is drinkable, potentially reducing agricultural and food waste. The use of QR codes could also help retailers discard less food by providing consumers with more accurate 'best-by dates'.
Researchers have developed a magnetic refrigeration system capable of operating at extremely low temperatures to liquefy hydrogen, achieving higher efficiency than current vapor-compression refrigerators. The technology has the potential to dramatically reduce hydrogen supply costs, making it feasible for widespread adoption.
Accelerating HFC phase-down under the Kigali Amendment could help achieve Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal, reducing global power consumption and emissions. Reaching accelerated deep cuts before 2050 would save up to 20% of expected future global electricity consumption.
A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins University used machine-learning and brain imaging to quantify the association between objects in our surroundings. They identified a specific brain region involved in this process, which enables us to build context and set expectations for the world.
Researchers replaced R134a with energy-efficient R600a and added MWCNT nanoparticles, reducing electricity use by a quarter. The new mix improved cooling capacity and reduced evaporation temperature, making home refrigeration more accessible for low-income households.
A study by the University of Göttingen found that the variety of tomato is more important than storage conditions on its flavor. The research team analyzed flavour-related attributes in new tomato strains and discovered no significant differences between refrigerated and room temperature storage options.
Researchers at Lancaster University cooled LEGO to near-absolute zero, revealing its potential as a thermal insulator for dilution refrigerators used in quantum computing. The discovery could lead to cheaper and more efficient scientific equipment.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have identified a promising replacement for toxic greenhouse gases used in refrigerators and air conditioners. The device, based on layers of oxygen and metallic elements PST, displays the largest electrocaloric effects yet observed in a body large enough for cooling applications.
The website rates internet-connected devices for their security, providing scores from 28 to 100. Researchers found wide variations in security depending on the manufacturer, with some devices performing better than others. The site aims to educate consumers and encourage device manufacturers to prioritize security.
The superconducting quantum refrigerator utilizes the principles of superconductivity to create an environment conducive to generating unique properties that defy classical physics. Researchers successfully demonstrate a practical way to use the device, paving the way for advancements in quantum technologies and ultrafast computing.
Researchers found that mechanically stretched carbon nanotubes can extract heat efficiently, making them a promising material for cooling flexible electronic devices. This technology could be an efficient alternative to traditional vapor-compression refrigerators, reducing ozone depletion and global warming.
Researchers have discovered a green material that can replace polluting gases used in most refrigerators and air conditioners. The plastic crystal of neopentylglycol achieves huge cooling effects comparable to conventional coolants.
A novel refrigerator design using a loop thermosyphon has shown promising results in reducing energy consumption, with an estimated 30% saving. This sustainable energy technology could lead to a significant decrease in household energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
The ABRACADABRA experiment, led by MIT physicists, detected no evidence of axions within a specific mass range. The team reported that axions in this mass range do not exist or have an even smaller effect on electricity and magnetism than previously thought.
Researchers at Aalto University have successfully controlled energy losses and shifts in a high-quality superconducting resonator, allowing for increased dissipation rate on demand. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of larger-scale quantum computers and innovative quantum technological devices.
Researchers have created a quantum fridge with just three atoms, demonstrating the role of quantum effects in thermodynamics. The device, using heat to drive cooling without moving parts, achieves temperatures within 40 microKelvin of absolute zero.
Researchers describe an extended quantum Maxwell's demon that violates the second law of thermodynamics in a system up to 5 meters away from the device. The demon channels entropy away from a target qubit, reducing its disorder without affecting its energy.
Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences have made a breakthrough in binding the highly ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon Freon 11. They discovered that modified cyclic sugar molecules can effectively adsorb and detect Freon 11, preventing its release into the atmosphere.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new method of cell preservation using desiccation, which shows promise as an alternative to cryopreservation via liquid nitrogen. The method involves removing water from cells, resulting in a stable solid that can be stored in conventional freezers or refrigerators.
A recent Drexel University study found that most Philadelphia home kitchens have evidence of pest infestations and improper raw meat storage, with bacteria-laden sponges being a common issue. The study also revealed that refrigeration temperatures were often above recommended levels, allowing bacteria to grow rapidly.
A new quantum-circuit refrigerator has been invented by Mikko Möttönen and his team at Aalto University, which reduces errors in quantum computing. The device uses a nanoscale cooling mechanism to cool qubits, making them more reliable and powerful.
Researchers confirmed a theoretical possibility of dual liquid states in sub-zero water and other tetrahedral molecules. A study using DNA origami and simulation revealed that such structures could exhibit a high-density and low-density liquid phase, separated by an empty lattice.
A Carnegie Mellon University software is helping robots cope with clutter, revealing their creativity in solving problems. The rearrangement planner software automatically finds a balance between 'pick and place' and 'push and shove' strategies to efficiently navigate cluttered environments.
The mission extends studies initiated by JAXA's Suzaku mission, enabling investigations into black hole motion, element abundances, and galaxy evolution. The SXS instrument features a 36-pixel microcalorimeter array, three-stage adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator, and stronger filters to collect X-ray photons.
A new security technology has been developed by IT researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum to protect the 'Internet of Things' from cyber threats. The technology uses a combination of digital encryption and analogue communication technologies, making it fast, energy-efficient and secure.
Researchers at Empa measure first generation of coolants in the Swiss atmosphere, finding a faster decay rate than predecessors. The study highlights environmental concerns related to these substances, including their potential impact on ecosystems and human health.
A team of physicists has identified a universal law governing the magnetic properties of metamagnets, which could lead to more efficient refrigerators, heat pumps, and airport scanners. The non-linear property enables cycling of magnetism on and off, allowing for efficient cooling and pumping of heat.
A new approach using low irradiance ultra-violet (UV) light has been developed to slow down the rot of strawberries, doubling their shelf life from five to nine days. This technology uses a novel device incorporating light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit UV at wavelengths found in sunlight.
A Cornell robot has been programmed to anticipate human actions, enabling it to step in and offer a helping hand. The robot uses a Microsoft Kinect camera and a database of 3D videos to identify activities and predict future actions.
Researchers at NIST have demonstrated a solid-state refrigerator that uses quantum physics to cool larger objects to extremely low temperatures. The prototype enables the placement of any suitable object in the cooling zone and later removal and replacement, similar to an all-purpose kitchen refrigerator.
An international team of researchers recommends regulating the most potent fluorinated greenhouse gases to avoid negating the positive effects of the Montreal Protocol. Long-lived HFCs, such as R-134a, pose a significant threat to the climate due to their high global warming potential.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered that certain nerve cells in a sleep-deprived yet awake brain can briefly enter a sleep-like state, negatively impacting performance. This 'local sleep' phenomenon affects specific groups of neurons in the motor cortex, leading to mistakes and decreased vigilance.
Researchers found that ice makers in four different refrigerators increased rated energy consumption by 12 to 20 percent, with three-fourths of the extra energy used for heaters. This study aims to improve efficiency and inform federal minimum efficiency standards for refrigerators.
Rice physicists Qimiao Si and Seiji Yamamoto create a theoretical model to understand the quantum quirks of high-temperature superconductors and ferromagnetism. Their model predicts the origins of metallic ferromagnetism, providing a rigorous answer to a long-standing question in condensed matter physics.
Researchers at NIST found that standard-sized refrigerators without freezers outperform smaller, dormitory-style refrigerators in storing vaccines. The study identified several best practices for vaccine storage, including keeping vaccines away from the door shelves and walls to prevent temperature drifts.
A new study by Professor Emanuela Cardia found that modern appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and electric stoves significantly changed the lives of women, enabling them to enter the workforce. Between 1940 and 1950, the percentage of married women with jobs increased from 5% to 51%, demonstrating the impact of household ...
A new study explores the phenomenon of consuming past expiration dates, finding that owning a product increases its valuation. Consumers are more likely to eat or drink expired food at home than in stores, despite lower perceived risk.
A new study reveals that positive moods increase our ability to understand the big picture and make healthier decisions. Researchers found that people in a good mood think more abstractly and adopt higher-order future goals.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a new way to cool using ferroelectric polymers that exhibit temperature changes under an electrical field. The technology could lead to the development of flat panel refrigerators without coils or compressors, providing a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly cooling solution.
Researchers at NIST have combined a transition-edge sensor with a microrefrigerator on a single microchip, achieving the first cooling of a fully functional detector. The combo chip offers the possibility of faster and cheaper precision analysis of materials like semiconductors and stardust.
A new multilingual search tool developed at the University of Washington's Turing Center allows people to search for images on the Web using hundreds of languages. The tool, named PanImages, automatically translates the search term into about 300 other languages and displays images from Google and Flickr.
Researchers have developed a tiny, cold, and efficient cryogenic refrigerator operating at 120 cycles per second that achieves rapid cooling and low temperatures without moving parts. The device uses oscillating helium gas to transport heat, enabling faster cool-down and smaller size.
A study by Université Laval researchers found that using an activated-carbon filtering pitcher can effectively reduce disinfection by-products, such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids, in tap water. The results show that the filter can reduce THM concentrations by up to 92% and HAA concentrations by 66%.
Researchers have designed a new quantum processor core that keeps qubits active all the time, enabling faster calculations and making quantum computers more efficient. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in fields like molecular biology, biophysics, and materials science.
A new study explores the role of relationships between people and products, finding that communal relationships lead to faster recognition of broad features, while exchange relationships facilitate more accurate recognition of detailed features. The research highlights the importance of highlighting expected features in a relationship ...
Researchers at NIST have developed chip-scale refrigerators capable of reaching temperatures as low as 100 milliKelvin, enabling cooling of bulk objects. The solid-state refrigerators have applications in semiconductor defect analysis and astronomical research.
Researchers found that storing spinach at 39 degrees Fahrenheit slows down nutrient loss compared to warmer temperatures. The study's findings have implications for the shipping process, where produce is often kept at warm temperatures for extended periods.
A new cryogenic refrigerator, developed by NIST, uses a solid-state design to cool X-ray detectors to subKelvin temperatures. The device reduces the need for bulky and expensive current equipment, making it ideal for semiconductor manufacturing and astronomical applications.
The cold-chain hypothesis proposes that psychrotrophic bacteria in refrigerated foods contribute to Crohn's disease. These bacteria have been identified in disease lesions and may trigger excessive host responses.