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[-] just_another_person@lemmy.world 24 points 1 week ago

These are just Peltier cooling mechanisms highly refined it seems. If they've increased the efficiency enough that a full-sized refrigerator can keep food cool without refrigerant or a constant electrical signal, that's huge. AFAIK Peltier coolers still need some electrical input, though minimal.

[-] rtxn@lemmy.world 17 points 1 week ago

I'm calling bullshit. There's no way a Peltier element can exceed the coefficient of performance of the refrigeration cycle, at an affordable price, without turning the room into a hothouse.

[-] Lugh@futurology.today 6 points 1 week ago

I’m calling bullshit.

Their findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal, Nature.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59698-y

[-] rtxn@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I'm not questioning the findings. I'm questioning the article, and your interpretation to arrive at such a summary.

APL plans to continue to partner with organizations to refine the CHESS thermoelectric materials with a focus on boosting efficiency to approach that of conventional mechanical systems

energy-harvesting technologies for applications ranging from computers to spacecraft

70% improvement in efficiency in a fully integrated refrigeration system.

It's all potential, and possibilities, and future projections. I'm sure someone will find real world applications for it, but a fridge tacked out with Peltier tiles that draws energy from its ambient environment (while actively ruining the thermal gradient by the way) is ludicrous.

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this post was submitted on 21 May 2025
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