Abstract: A magnetocaloric heat generator (1) in which a driving mechanism is (26) in fluidic connection with first and second ends (3 and 4) of a thermal module (2), via at least one heat exchange mechanism (7, 27), so that the heat transfer fluid circulates in a closed constant-volume fluidic circuit through the magnetocaloric heat generator (1).

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an energy efficient thermal protection assembly. The thermal protection assembly can include three or more thermoelectric unit layers capable of active use of the Peltier effect; and at least one capacitance spacer block suitable for storing heat and providing a delayed thermal reaction time of the assembly. The capacitance spacer block is thermally connected between the thermoelectric unit layers. The present disclosure further relates to a thermoelectric transport and storage devices for transporting or storing temperature sensitive goods, for example, vaccines, chemicals, biologicals, and other temperature sensitive goods. The transport or storage device can be configured and provide on-board energy storage for sustaining, for multiple days, at a constant-temperature, with an acceptable temperature variation band.

Abstract: Determining a Curie temperature (Tc) distribution of a sample comprising magnetic material involves subjecting the sample to an electromagnetic field, heating the sample over a range of temperatures, generating a signal representative of a parameter of the sample that changes as a function of changing sample temperature while the sample is subjected to the electromagnetic field, and determining the Tc distribution of the sample using the generated signal and a multiplicity of predetermined parameters of the sample.

Abstract: A method for generating a heat flow from a magnetocaloric element (1) comprising at least one magnetocaloric material (2) comprising a hot end (3) associated with a hot chamber (4) and a cold end (5) associated with a cold chamber (6), the method comprises magnetically and alternately activating and de-activating the magnetocaloric element (1) and circulating a heat transfer fluid through the magnetocaloric element (1) alternately towards the hot chamber (4) and the cold chamber (5) in synchronisation with the magnetic activation and de-activation phases. This method is characterized in that the method comprises reversing the direction of circulation of the heat transfer fluid during the magnetic activation and de-activation phases and also relates to a magnetocaloric heat generator implementing the method.

Abstract: A system for controlling a temperature of a downhole component is disclosed. The system includes: a cooling material in thermal communication with the downhole component; and a container configured to house the cooling material therein, the cooling material configured to undergo an endothermic reaction and decompose at a selected temperature and absorb heat from the downhole component.

Abstract: Cryogenic electronics based upon semiconductive devices, superconductive devices, or a combination of the two present opportunities for a wide variety of novel, fast, and low power devices. However, such cryogenic electronics require cooling which is typically achieved through fluid refrigerants such as liquid nitrogen or liquid helium. Solid state refrigeration based upon adiabatic demagnetization in paramagnetic salts offers one alternative but requires that the solid state cooler and cryogenic electronic circuits be different physical elements. The inventors present solid state cooling for semiconductor materials including but not limited to silicon. Beneficially active electronic devices can be integrated monolithically with solid state semiconductor coolers exhibiting magnetic cooling within the whole substrate or predetermined regions of the substrate. Alternatively, active devices may be formed with semiconductor layers integral to them that exhibit magnetic cooling.

Abstract: Inorganic-organic polymer nanocomposites are provided. The inorganic-organic polymer nanocomposite includes a polymeric matrix and a plurality of metal nanoparticles embedded within the polymeric matrix. The plurality of metal nanoparticles are configured to provide cooling of the nanocomposite upon exposure to photoradiation.

Abstract: System and methods for cryogenic magnetocaloric refrigeration are provided. The system may include a magnetocaloric material including a single ion anisotropy and primary magnetic interactions of at most two dimensions. The system may also include a cryogenic fluid in communication with the magnetocaloric material, such that, when a magnetic field having a strength of at least a predetermined threshold is applied, the magnetocaloric material is configured to at least partially liquefy the cryogenic fluid.

Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided including a thermal battery or phase change material positioned within the refrigerator or freezer in order to increase energy efficiency and compartment sizes of the refrigerator. The thermal battery can be used with an ice maker to aid in removing heat from the water in the ice maker to produce ice. Furthermore, the phase change material or thermal battery may be used with a thermoelectric cooler to aid in ice production. The phase change material may be tuned to various temperatures according to the desired use of the phase change material, as well as the location of the thermal battery or phase change material. Other embodiments include positioning the phase change material in the liner of the compartments or in thermal storage units in order to further increase the energy efficiency of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A cooling device includes a magnetocaloric unit disposed between a heat sink and a heat load, an electromagnet operably connected with the magnetocaloric unit, and at least one refrigerant storage included in the magnetocaloric unit, wherein the magnetocaloric unit is cooled down by using an evaporation heat of a refrigerant in the refrigerant storage.

Abstract: A method for cooling an optical element for EUV applications is disclosed. Heat is transferred from the optical element to a heat sink, and, via a first feed line, a first cooling medium is introduced into a cooling channel in the heat sink, in such a way that the first cooling medium effects laminar flow through the cooling channel and in the process absorbs heat from the heat sink. After flowing through the cooling channel, the first cooling medium is discharged into a discharge line leading away from the optical element. A second cooling medium is introduced into the discharge line via a second feed line, and the first cooling medium and the second cooling medium, downstream of the second feed line at a location that is further away from the optical element than the cooling channel, are subjected to a force field introduced into the discharge line externally.

Abstract: A system for controlling thermal conductivity of a housing of an electronic part is provided. In particular, liquid is disposed within a hollow portion formed between an external wall body and an internal wall body of the housing and a magnetic field generating member is attached to an outer surface of the internal wall body. Insulating magnetic particles are dispersed in the liquid, and an orientation of the insulating magnetic particles is changed according to a direction of a magnetic field applied by the magnetic field generating member. This, as a result, controls the thermal conductivity of the housing.

Abstract: A magneto-caloric-effect element has a plurality of element units. The element units have lengths, respectively. The element units have different Curie temperatures, respectively. The element units demonstrate magneto-caloric effects. Two adjoining performance distribution crosses at a cross temperature. A temperature in the rated operational status between two adjoining element units is called a boundary temperature. The lengths and/or Curie temperatures are set so that the boundary temperatures and the cross temperatures coincide each other. Thereby, a plurality of element units can function at high effectiveness in the rated operational status.

Abstract: The magnetic refrigerating device according to one embodiment includes a fixed container filled with a refrigerant, the fixed container including a magnetic material container that is filled with a magnetic material and that can move in the fixed container and an elastic member provided at the end of the magnetic material container. The magnetic refrigerating device also includes a magnetic-field applying/removing mechanism that is provided at the outside of the fixed container, and that can apply and remove a magnetic field to and from the magnetic material and can generate a magnetic torque to the magnetic material container in moving direction of the magnetic material container.

Abstract: A magnetic air conditioner includes heat generation disks of a hollow shape each having a magneto-caloric material and a thermal switch, and magnetic field application disks of a hollow shape each having a magnetic field application unit that applies a magnetic field to the magneto-caloric material, the heat generation disks and the magnetic field application disks being alternately stacked. At least either of the heat generation disks and the magnetic field application disks is made to relatively rotate so as to transport heat in a direction intersecting the rotating direction. The magnetic air conditioner also includes an outer-rotor motor that causes at least one of the heat generation disks and the magnetic field application disks to rotate, and a clutch that transmits a driving force collectively to the plurality of heat generation disks or to the plurality of magnetic field application disks, or separately.

Abstract: System and methods are disclosed for controlled thermal energy transfer. The system includes a thermal energy source, a thermal energy sink, spaced apart from the thermal energy source, an electrocaloric structure carried by a suspension and configured for alternating physical movement between thermal communication with the thermal energy source and thermal communication with the thermal energy sink, and a control signal source simultaneously providing both a temperature control signal for controlling the temperature of the electrocaloric structure and a movement control signal for controlling the alternating physical movement of the electrocaloric structure between thermal communication with the thermal energy source and thermal communication with the heat sink. Heating or cooling of a desired element may be provided. Movement control may be electrostatic, magnetic, mechanical, etc., and is self-synchronizing with the field employed for temperature control in the electrocaloric structure.

Abstract: The first and second media are coupled via evanescent waves generated by surface phonon polaritons thermally excited on surfaces of the first and second media. First and second media made of the same material are disposed with a gap formed between for cutting off thermal conduction and the heat transfer between them is performed via the thermally excited evanescent waves. A third medium is provided on a surface of the first medium on a side toward the second medium. Heat flux flows from the second medium to the first medium in a first state wherein the second medium has a first temperature TH and the first medium has a second temperature TL lower than the TH differ in intensity from heat flux which flows from the first to the second medium in a second state wherein the first medium has the TH and the second medium has the TL.

Abstract: A method includes pneumatically expelling a sample of magnetically polarized material along a pneumatic flow path from a cryogenic environment.

Abstract: A cooling device, which can cause cooling or heat-pumping, comprising: multilayer electrocaloric ceramic modules as a refrigerant where said modules are comprised of modified BaTiO3 or bismuth based solid solution with PbTiO3, wherein said modules have more than one ferroelectric phase in generating an electrocaloric effect.

Abstract: An optical refrigerator comprises a laser source, a cooling crystal, a cavity for enhancing the absorption of the laser light in the cooling crystal, a thermal link which connects a cold finger to the cooling crystal and prevents the fluorescence from heating the cold finger, an absorbing chamber to remove the fluorescence and eliminate the waste heat, an a mechanical support that keeps the cooling crystal properly aligned with the laser beam and minimizes heat leakage.

Abstract: A method for generating a thermal flow from a thermal module comprising at least two magnetocaloric elements connected, two-by-two, through which a heat transfer fluid flows and is exposed to a magnetic field. The circulation exposes alternating elements of the magnetocaloric elements to an opposite variation in the magnetic field, and causes the transfer fluid to circulate simultaneously and in opposite directions in such a manner that the fluid flowing out of one of the magnetocaloric elements, at the end of a heating phase, is circulated, during the following phase, in the following magnetocaloric elements exposed to heating, while the fluid flowing out of one of the magnetocaloric elements, at the end of a cooling phase, is circulated in the following element exposed to cooling, and conversely. The heat transfer fluid is stored an intermediate receiving area. This invention also relates to a thermal generator implementing the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for forming a temperature gradient, having at least one gas-tight working chamber (9) having a cathode (8) and an anode (7), wherein an inhomogeneous electric field can be generated when an electric voltage is applied between the cathode (8) and anode (7) in the working chamber (9), as well as a working gas between the cathode (8) and anode (7). According to the invention, a distance between the cathode (8) and anode (7) is less than 5000 nm in order to enable a heat transport from the anode (7) to the cathode (8) with the working gas. The invention further relates to a method for producing a device (1) to form a temperature gradient. The invention also relates to a method for forming a temperature gradient between a cathode (8) and an anode (7) in a working chamber (9) by means of a working gas in the working chamber (9), to which an inhomogeneous electric field is applied.

Abstract: The present invention provides a porous thermal regenerator apparatus and method of making a porous thermal regenerator comprised of metallic or intermetallic particles that are held together in a porous three dimensional network by a binding agent (such as epoxy). One aspect of the apparatus is that the porosity of the porous thermal regenerator is greater than the tapped porosity of the particles comprising the porous thermal regenerator; moreover, the high-porosity apparatus is durable, that is, it remains intact when exposed to strong time-varying magnetic forces while immersed in aqueous fluid. This high porosity, when combined with high strength and aqueous heat transfer fluid stability, leads to improved porous thermal regenerators and concomitantly to magnetic refrigerators with improved performance.

Abstract: A heat exchanging system is provided for conditioning indoor temperature of a building. The heat exchanging system includes a magnetic refrigerator, an indoor heat exchanger and an outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchanger is thermally connected to the magnetic refrigerator. The outdoor heat exchanger is thermally connected to the magnetic refrigerator. The outdoor heat exchanger includes a geothermal heat exchanging unit, wherein the geothermal heat exchanging unit is embedded under the ground of a building.

Abstract: Provided is a high-strength, bonded La(Fe, Si)13-based magnetocaloric material, as well as a preparation method and use thereof. The magnetocaloric material comprises magnetocaloric alloy particles and an adhesive agent, wherein the particle size of the magnetocaloric alloy particles is less than or equal to 800 ?m and are bonded into a massive material by the adhesive agent; the magnetocaloric alloy particle has a NaZn13-type structure and is represented by a chemical formula of La1-xRx(Fe1-p-qCopMnq)13-ySiyA?, wherein R is one or more selected from elements cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr) and neodymium (Nd), A is one or more selected from elements C, H and B, x is in the range of 0?x?0.5, y is in the range of 0.8?y?2, p is in the range of 0?p?0.2, q is in the range of 0?q?0.2, ? is in the range of 0???3.0. Using a bonding and thermosetting method, and by means of adjusting the forming pressure, thermosetting temperature, and thermosetting atmosphere, etc.

Abstract: A cup or plate for heating food or beverages is disclosed. The cup/plate contains a heating component, which may keep consumable goods, such as food and beverages at a desired temperature. An insulated external layer may be placed between the heating component and the external portion of the cup/plate. A wireless power receiver may be coupled to the heater component to receive an electrical power source and transfer it to the heater component. A transmitter element may form pockets of energy at the location of the different receivers to be used as power sources.

Abstract: A regenerative electrocaloric (EC) device is provided. The regenerative EC device uses a special configuration to expand the temperature span Th-Tc, thereby increasing the cooling power and improving the efficiency thereof. The EC regenerative cooling device includes two electrocaloric effect (ECE) elements/rings in direct thermal contact with each other. The two rings rotate in opposite directions and are divided into multiple sections with an electric field or electric fields applied to every other region/section and an electric field or electric fields removed from remaining sections.

Abstract: A composite material for magnetic refrigeration is provided. The composite material for magnetic refrigeration includes a magnetocaloric effect material having a magnetocaloric effect; and a heat conductive material dispersed in the magnetocaloric effect material. The heat conductive material is at least one selected from the group consisting of a carbon nanotube and a carbon nanofiber.

Abstract: What is described is the use of alcohols, alcoholamines, diols, polyols or mixtures thereof in heat carrier media or as heat carrier media which are in contact with magnetocaloric materials.

Abstract: Cooling devices, heat pumps, and climate controlling devices employing an electrocaloric composite of high thermal conductivity and significant electrocaloric effect are disclosed. The electrocaloric composites include a combination of one or more EC-fluoropolymers and their blends with one or more electric-insulating fillers of high thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A heat pump system is provided that uses multiple stages of MCMs with different Curie temperature ranges. An adjustable fluid flow path is used whereby the number of stages through which a heat transfer fluid passes can be varied depending upon e.g., the amount of heating or cooling desired. In certain embodiments, a magnetic field used to activate the MCMs can be manipulated so that the number of stages of MCMs that are activated also be adjusted. These and other features can improve the operating efficiency of the heat pump.

Abstract: The magnetic refrigerating device according to one embodiment includes a fixed container filled with a refrigerant, the fixed container including a magnetic material container that is filled with a magnetic material and that can move in the fixed container and an elastic member provided at the end of the magnetic material container. The magnetic refrigerating device also includes a magnetic-field applying/removing mechanism that is provided at the outside of the fixed container, and that can apply and remove a magnetic field to and from the magnetic material and can generate a magnetic torque to the magnetic material container in moving direction of the magnetic material container.

Abstract: A magnetic cooling apparatus including a plurality of magnetic regenerators including a plurality of magnetocaloric materials to emit heat when magnetized and to absorb heat when demagnetized. The magnetic regenerators are rotatably disposed on a circumference having a predetermined radius, at least one coil is disposed on the circumference and coupled to the magnetic regenerators, and a plurality of permanent magnets is provided inside and outside the circumference to generate a magnetic field to magnetize or demagnetize the magnetic regenerators. The at least one coil interacts with the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets to rotate the magnetic regenerators. The coil interacting with the magnetic field to magnetize or demagnetize the magnetic regenerators is coupled to the magnetic regenerators such that the magnetic regenerators reciprocate or rotate, thereby minimizing a size of the magnetic cooling apparatus, relative to the use of a motor.

Abstract: Magnetothermal pump devices are provided. Such devices can operate on the principle of thermally induced switching between open and closed states of a magnetic switch to generate mechanical oscillations. Exemplary devices provided include a thermal gradient and a magnet with a Curie temperature at or within this gradient. When the soft magnet is below the Curie temperature, it has sufficient magnetic force to bind a hard magnet at the hot side of the gradient. Heating of the magnet at the hot side causes it to exceed its Curie temperature, resulting in loss of magnetic attraction. At this stage, a restorative force exceeds the magnetic force, causing the magnet to shift to the cold side of the gradient, which oscillations can be used to pump fluid. Any magnetic transition that results in a change in the vector nature of the magnetic moment of the soft magnetic material can be employed.

Abstract: A magnetic cooling apparatus having a plurality of cooling modules, where each of the cooling modules includes at least one magnetic regenerator allowing a heat transfer fluid to pass therethrough and filled with a magnetocaloric material; and a fluid supply device to supply the heat transfer fluid into the magnetic regenerator. The cooling modules are rotatably arranged in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for increasing the temperature gradient of a magneto-calorific thermal generator comprising magneto-calorific elements subjected to a magnetic field variation. At least one of a pre-heating and pre-cooling of the magneto-calorific elements (60) is carried out to modify the initial temperature before and/or during the magnetic field variation before reaching the maximum and/or minimum field value. The method and apparatus may be employed in heating, tempering, air conditioning, refrigeration and other industrial or domestic applications.

Abstract: A heat exchanger unit according to an exemplary embodiment includes: a plurality of heat exchangers that includes magnetic particles therein; and a connection section that is provided between the heat exchangers to connect the heat exchangers, the connection section including a solid-core member, a porous body or a combined substance of the solid-core member and the porous body. In the heat exchanger unit, the connection section invades partially into an inside of the heat exchanger connected thereto.

Abstract: A module for warming and, alternately, for cooling, this module comprising an electrocaloric capacitor, an electrical energy storage device and a controllable circuit for transferring electrical energy between the electrocaloric capacitor and the energy storage device. The controllable circuit comprising an inductor connected between the electrocaloric capacitor and the storage device and at least one controllable switch. There is further included a unit programmed to control the switch so as to cause the transfer circuit to toggle successively into the following states and in the following order: an energy recovery state, a disabled state in which it electrically isolates the electrocaloric capacitor and the energy storage device, an energy release state and the disabled state, and each time to maintain the transfer circuit in the disabled state for a duration greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A magnetic structure has a magnetocaloric material the temperature of which changes with application or removal of a magnetic field, and a high thermal conduction member which is in contact with the magnetocaloric material and has higher thermal conductivity than the magnetocaloric material. Further, this magnetic air-conditioning and heating device is provided with multiple of the aforementioned magnetic structures, a thermal switch which is arranged between magnetic structures and transmits or insulates heat, and a magnetic field varying unit which applies or removes a magnetic field to each of the magnetic structures. By providing in the magnetic structures a high thermal conduction member with higher thermal conductivity than the magnetocaloric material, some or all of the heat generated in the magnetocaloric material can be quickly conducted in the magnetic bodies.

Abstract: A heat generator (1) comprises at least one thermal module (1?) which contains at least two adjacent magnetocaloric elements (2), and a common distribution chamber (3), associated with a heat transfer fluid circulation device (4), fluidly connects the adjacent magnetocaloric elements (2) with one another. Two end chambers (5, 6) are associated with a circulation means (7) and fluidly connected each with the two magnetocaloric elements (2) located at the hot end (9) and a cold (11) end of the thermal module (1). A magnetic arrangement of the heat generator (1) subjects each of the magnetocaloric element (2) to a variable magnetic field. The circulation mechanism (4), associated with the common distribution chamber (3), moves the heat transfer fluid simultaneously through the two adjacent magnetocaloric elements (2) in different circulation directions.

Abstract: A magnetocaloric heat generator (1) which comprises at least one magnetocaloric unit (21) provided with at least one magnetocaloric material (3) in thermal contact with a heat transfer fluid (F) and at least one magnetic unit (41) capable of subjecting the magnetocaloric material (3) to a variable magnetic field. This generator (1) is characterized in that each unit (21, 41) has a modular configuration and comprises at least one fitting form (E1, E2, E3) which facilitates assembly with another unit (41, 21), along a same median axis (M), which is provided with a complementary fitting form (E1, E2, E3).

Abstract: A magnetic heat pump apparatus includes: a container defining a work chamber; a magnetic working element arranged in the work chamber; a magnetic-field applier that alternately applies a magnetic field to the magnetic working element and removes the magnetic field from the magnetic working element in a magnetic-field direction; and a transportation device that transports heat medium to reciprocate in a reciprocation direction. The magnetic-field direction and the reciprocation direction intersect with each other. The magnetic working element is one of a plurality of magnetic working elements. Each of the plurality of magnetic working elements has a column shape extending in the magnetic-field direction.

Abstract: A device for cooling components, comprising a housing in which a cavity is formed, in which a phase-change material is accommodated, the housing having at least one surface, which is able to be brought into contact with the component to be cooled, and at least one heat-dissipating surface. The cavity accommodating the phase-change material is enclosed by at least one coil, and the phase-change material includes ferromagnetic or magnetizable particles. Furthermore a method for cooling a component using the device is described.

Abstract: A heat generator (1) having at least one thermal module (10) that has N adjacent magnetocaloric elements (2) arranged in a circle around a central axis (A) and is subjected to a varying magnetic field caused by magnetic devices (3). The magnetocaloric elements (2) are associated with N pistons (40) subjected to a reciprocating translation movement by an actuating cam (70) to circulate the heat transfer fluid, contained in the thermal module (10), in two opposite directions, at the same time, so that a first fraction of the heat transfer fluid circulates towards a hot exchange chamber (5), through the magnetocaloric elements (2) and is subjected to a heating cycle, and a second fraction of the heat transfer fluid circulates towards a cold exchange chamber (6), through the magnetocaloric elements (2), and is subjected to a cooling cycle, and inversely. The exchange chambers (5, 6) are coupled with external circuits that use calories and frigories for heating, air-conditioning, tempering systems, etc.

Abstract: Cooling devices (i.e., refrigerators or heat pumps) based on polymers which exhibit a temperature change upon application or removal of an electrical field or voltage, (e.g., fluoropolymers or crosslinked fluoropolymers that exhibit electrocaloric effect).

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioner has a magneto-caloric effect type heat pump apparatus (MHP apparatus). MHP apparatus has a magneto-caloric element (MCE element) which generates heat dissipation and heat absorption in response to strength change of an external magnetic field. The MCE element can demonstrate high performance when an element temperature is in a highly efficient temperature zone. A controller has an initial control part which adjusts the element temperature so that the element temperature approaches to the highly efficient temperature zone when the MHP apparatus is in an initial state in which the temperature is out of the highly efficient temperature zone. Thereby, starting of MHP apparatus is promoted. The initial control part may activate an auxiliary apparatus. The auxiliary apparatus heats or cools a part or all of the MCE elements.

Abstract: A heat pump system is provided that uses MCM for heating or cooling. A magnetic field of decreasing flux intensity is used to decrease power consumption and reduce e.g., the size of one or more magnetic devices associated with creating the magnetic field. In one exemplary embodiment, the heat pump is constructed from a continuously rotating regenerator where MCM is cycled in and out of a magnetic field in a continuous manner and a heat transfer fluid is circulated therethrough to provide for heat transfer in a cyclic manner. The magneto caloric material may include stages having different Curie temperature ranges. An appliance using such a heat pump system is also provided. The heat pump may also be used in other applications for heating, cooling, or both.

Abstract: [Problem to be solved] To reduce the fluctuation in the driving force. [Means to solve Problem] A magnetic cooling/heating apparatus comprising: a heat transfer unit 1000A comprising a plurality of heat transfer devices 50-1, 50-2, . . . arranged in parallel at intervals, wherein the heat transfer device 50-1 comprises magnetic bodies 10A-10F with a magneto-caloric effect and heat-conductive parts 30A-30G that transfer the heat of the magnetic bodies 10A-10F, both of which are alternately arranged; a magnetic unit 2000A comprising a plurality of magnets 21A, 21C, . . . that are arranged so as to face against each of the magnetic bodies 10A-10F of the heat transfer unit 1000A and to selectively apply and remove the magnetic field to/from each of the magnetic bodies 10A-10F; and a motor 350 that moves at least one of the heat transfer unit 1000A and the magnetic unit 2000A facing each other, relative to each other in the direction in which the heat transfer devices 50-1, 50-2, . . .

Abstract: An actively heated mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container is provided. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a body that receives a liquid therein and a heating or cooling system at least partially disposed in the body. The heating or cooling system can include one or more heating or cooling elements that heat a surface of the receiving portion of the body and one or more energy storage devices. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a wireless power receiver that wirelessly receives power from a power source and control circuitry configured to charge one or more power storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating or cooling elements.

Abstract: A magneto-caloric effect type heat pump apparatus provides a thermo-magnetic cycle apparatus. A magnetic field modulating device has a rotary permanent magnet. By rotating the permanent magnet, magnetic field applied to a magneto-caloric element is modulated alternatively in a magnetized state and a demagnetized state. A magnetized period, when the magnetic field is applied, is shorter than a demagnetized period, when the magnetic field is removed. Thereby, it is possible to reduce weight of the magnetic field modulating device having the permanent magnet. The magneto-caloric element has a heat exchange portion which varies heat exchanging efficiency depending on flow directions of a heat transport medium. The heat exchanging efficiency in the magnetized period is higher than the heat exchanging efficiency in the demagnetized period. Therefore, it is possible to provide sufficient heat exchanging quantity even in a short magnetized period.