> Abstract: Refrigeration needs are increasing worldwide with a demand for alternates to bulky poorly scalable vapor compression systems. Here, we demonstrate the first proof of practical solid-state refrigeration, using nano-engineered controlled hierarchically engineered superlattice thin-film thermoelectric materials. [...] The improved efficiency and ultra-low thermoelectric materials usage herald a new beginning in solid-state refrigeration.
One of the greatest need for energy in the next few years is going to be for air conditioning if this really works it is going to be put another nail in the coffin of Oil and gas industry.
You can double the speed of a slug and not have it do anything meaningful as a useful domestic animal.
Thermoelectric cooling is extremely inefficient, to the point that we have very little practical use for it right now. Heat pumps a hundred times more effective predominate.
While Peltier devices are less efficient than a compressor/heat pump, they are a lot quieter due to being completely solid state. Comparing the two technologies is tempting but the applications can be very different.
Since these devices can also produce power given a heat differential, they are used in spaces where you need just a little power and heat is readily available.
Scaling up (eh, out?) MEMS compressors in matrixes seems a more likely path to success to me. Some research is ongoing there. I’m not expert, but I find it interesting.
Having looked at the paper, I don't much like their testing methodology: calorimetry is really hard (a general theme of cold-fusion 'research'), and they don't really seem to have calibrated their test setup, just calculated a theoretical value. This makes me highly skeptical of claims of COP, which can be highly sensitive to small differences in heat flows.
I tried gpt to get an idea of what this meant relative to compressor tech and i had to put my tail between my legs and crawl back in my cave. it said it could be COP very efficient iirc COP 50 over tiny temp lifts. i don’t fully understand that yet.
But the theme is matching the application with techs characteristics. solid state should be great but as someone mentioned, expansion and contraction at the solder or connection is troublesome. on the other hand, those that mention it wouldn’t work for residential cooling/heating should keep in mind the cost of installation for current heat pumps- if this cost could be reduced or homeowner-capable, then that’s a huge win.
My point is is this constellation of characteristics the SOTA and how they interact with the moving world can be hard to track and if something isn’t viable, it may suddenly become viable. it’s a tricky thing to notice if you’re just looking at the one characteristic of efficiency.
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[ 2.7 ms ] story [ 28.2 ms ] thread> Abstract: Refrigeration needs are increasing worldwide with a demand for alternates to bulky poorly scalable vapor compression systems. Here, we demonstrate the first proof of practical solid-state refrigeration, using nano-engineered controlled hierarchically engineered superlattice thin-film thermoelectric materials. [...] The improved efficiency and ultra-low thermoelectric materials usage herald a new beginning in solid-state refrigeration.
Thermoelectric cooling is extremely inefficient, to the point that we have very little practical use for it right now. Heat pumps a hundred times more effective predominate.
Aren't there theoretical limits to this sort of cooling too?
But, if this innovation causes Technology Connections to make yet another heat pumps video, I'm all for it.
Since these devices can also produce power given a heat differential, they are used in spaces where you need just a little power and heat is readily available.
https://www.jhuapl.edu/about/people/rama-venkatasubramanian
This is the same sort of person that MAGA and tech workers want to discourage coming to the United States.