Researchers closer to the ultimate green ’fridge magnet’

Researchers closer to the ultimate green 'fridge magnet'. Imperial physicists make breakthrough in the quest for a magnetically-cooled fridge %0A " - Imperial College London news release For immediate release Friday 15 May 2009 Scientists are a step closer to making environmentally-friendly 'magnetic' refrigerators and air conditioning systems a reality, thanks to new research published today in . Magnetic refrigeration technology could provide a 'green' alternative to traditional energy-guzzling gas- compression fridges and air conditioners. They would require 20-30 percent less energy to run than the best systems currently available, and would not rely on ozone-depleting chemicals or greenhouse gases. Refrigeration and air conditioning units make a major contribution to the planet's energy consumption - in the USA in the summer months they account for approximately 50 percent of the country's energy use. A magnetic refrigeration system works by applying a magnetic field to a magnetic material - some of the most promising being metallic alloys - causing it to heat up. This excess heat is removed from the system by water, cooling the material back down to its original temperature.