Magnetic Refrigeration

A new generation of refrigeration based on the giant magneto-caloric effect is under development at leading research institutions and companies. Instead of ozone depleting refrigerants and energy consuming compressors found in conventional vapour - cycle refrigerators, this new style of refrigerator uses metallic alloys such as gadolinium metal that heats up when exposed to a magnetic field, then cools down again when the magnetic field is removed. This refrigerator uses permanent magnets to generate the required magnetic fields. This technology is being aimed at several markets including home refrigerators, air conditioning, electronics cooling and fluid chilling.