4 ms·
This is just more efficient Peltier coolers right? Or is this some other effect?
by vlovich123 3y ago
This is just more efficient Peltier coolers right? Or is this some other effect?
- calamari4065 3y agoIt's a different effect: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrocaloric_effect https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrocaloric_effect
- addaon 3y agoPeltier effect generates spatially-separated hot and cold sides. Electrocaloric effect generates temporally-separated hot and cold periods. The Peltier effect is simpler to harness into a refrigeration unit (put the cold stuff on the cold side, dissipate heat from the hot side), but has lower potential efficiency.
- mitthrowaway2 3y agoNow we just need to combine it with thermal transistors* on the front and back sides to gate and pump the heat in one direction. Conduct -> Cool -> Insulate -> Heat -> Conduct -> Cool... (while doing the opposite on the heat-sinking side, of course) (*from 3 weeks ago on HN) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38259991 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38259991
- westurner 3y agoPerhaps a black hole could do some of the Heat phase, at least. From https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38450636 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38450636 : "Using black holes as rechargeable batteries and nuclear reactors" (2023) https://arxiv.org/abs/2210.10587 https://arxiv.org/abs/2210.10587
- araes 3y agoThank you. That's a clear description. I read through that whole article and still was not sure why it was not a Peltier cooler with oil flowing around.
- londons_explore 3y agoI think the article is carefully written to imply that this tech is more efficient than peltier coolers, while not actually making such a claim.
- marcosdumay 3y agoIt is potentially more efficient. But the thing on the article is on the "make it work" phase, and doesn't work in any way even resembling "well".