Magnetic Freezing System: Practical Application on the Horizon

Chubu Electric Power Co., a supplier of electricity in the Chubu region of central Japan, announced on March 3, 2003, that it has developed a new magnetic freezing system in a joint effort with Toshiba Corporation. The two companies succeeded in developing the world's first magnetic freezing system in 2000 and have since been trying to put the technology to practical use. This recent breakthrough marks a significant step forward.

Unlike the conventional gas compression technology using cholorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and CFC substitutes, this technology is based on a "magneto-caloric" effect, in which the temperature of magnetic materials fluctuate in accordance with the surrounding magnetic field. Magnetic materials emit heat when exposed to a magnetic field and cool down when the field is removed.

In 2000, by using the powerful magnetic field of a superconducting magnet, the companies achieved a temperature near the freezing point, starting from a room temperature of approximately 20 degrees Celsius. This was followed by a further development in October 2002, when they achieved temperatures below zero in a weak magnetic field generated by a permanent magnet. In this most recent development, they succeeded in developing a more energy-efficient and compact system.

In the effort to prevent global warming, expectations are high regarding alternative technologies that can replace conventional technology dependent on CFCs and CFC substitutes. Because electric appliances such as air conditioners and freezers require continuous cooling, development of an energy-efficient technology is eagerly awaited. This magnetic technology is expected to provide the basis for an eco-friendly and highly-efficient technology that will result in energy conservation.



Posted: 2003/04/21 09:27:45 AM
Japanese version