Abstract: In a magnetic refrigerator, a permanent magnet unit shaped like a hub is so rotated as to face an annular magnetic unit having magnetic blocks arranged in a circumferential direction. The permanent magnet unit is also arranged to be concentric with a magnetic unit and has an inner and outer diameters substantially equal to those of the magnetic unit. Each of the magnetic blocks has positive and negative magnetic segments alternately arranged with predetermined gaps. As the permanent magnet unit rotates, heat conducting members are inserted into and removed from the gaps between the magnetic segments of the magnetic block. This allows heat generated from the magnetic segments to conduct in one direction.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of a material of general formula (I): [(AyCo1-y)]u(Mn1-zCz)[(Si1-xBx)]v??(I) as a magnetocaloric material, wherein the material is orthorhombic and wherein: A is selected from Ni, Cr, Fe, Al, P, Se, Ga and Sb and mixtures thereof; B is selected from Ge, Sn, Al, P, Se, Ga and Sb and mixtures thereof; C is selected from Ni, Cr, Fe, Al, P, Se, Ga and Sb and mixtures thereof; x, y and z are the same or different and are numbers in the range 0 to 0.2; and u and v are the same or different and are numbers in the range 0.5 to 1.5. The invention also provides a method of making materials of formula (I) and a magnetocaloric refrigeration device comprising such materials.

Abstract: A magnetic refrigerator has a housing, heat exchangers filled with magnetic particles having a magnetocaloric effect, a rotary drive, a rotating shaft, a magnetic field generator fixed to the rotating shaft which applies a magnetic field to or eliminates a magnetic field from the magnetic particles in the heat exchangers following rotation of the rotating shaft, a refrigerant pump which circulates the refrigerant following rotation of the rotating shaft, a rotary refrigerant control valve which controls supply of the refrigerant to and discharge of the refrigerant from the heat exchangers following rotation of the rotating shaft, and a refrigerant circuit. The magnetic field generator and the rotary refrigerant control valve are configured to synchronize application of the magnetic field to or elimination of the magnetic field from the magnetic particles with supply of the refrigerant to or discharge of the refrigerant from the heat exchangers.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a magnetic regenerator for an active magnetic refrigerator, the method comprising: forming a magnetic regenerator from a slurry or a paste containing a magnetocaloric material the magnetic regenerator being formed to have plural paths therethrough for the flow of a heat transfer fluid; and varying the composition of the magnetocaloric material so that the magnetic transition temperature of the magnetic regenerator varies along the paths.

Abstract: A magnet arrangement for creating a magnetic field. The magnet arrangement includes a first magnet having a first surface defining a first pole and a second surface defining a second pole opposite the first pole, and a second magnet having a third surface defining a third pole and a fourth surface defining a fourth pole opposite the third pole. The second surface has a higher magnetic flux density than the first surface. The third surface has a higher magnetic flux density than the fourth surface. The second magnet is spaced from the first magnet to define a first gap between the second surface and the third surface. Magnetic field lines of the magnetic field run from the first surface to the second surface, from the second surface to the third surface through the first gap, and from the third surface to the fourth surface.

Abstract: Device and methods are provided for an up-conversion energy internal cooling of electronic devices such as IC chips, which enable efficient cooling of high frequency rate, high power and density electronic devices. Up-conversion energy internal cooling IC chips are designed to provide uniform internal cooling with possibility of localized cooling capabilities for high frequency processing rate/high power density regions of IC chips. The design also includes external cooling of the IC chips, or theirs electronic components by an electromagnetic source.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a refrigerator which can keep the contents in a non-frozen state by an electric field generated by a radio frequency voltage. The refrigerator includes a setting unit for setting a amplitude and frequency of a voltage, a generating unit for generating an electric field according to the voltage having the set amplitude and frequency, and applying the electric field to a storing space for storing the contents, and a freezing cycle for cooling the storing space. The contents are kept in a non-frozen state below a phase transition temperature.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for generating thermal units using magnetocaloric material, with low energy consumption, evolutive, of a simple design, reliable operation, which allows to generate thermal units in a cost effective way while at the same time removing the risks of thermal fluid leakage and limiting the number of mechanical parts. The device (1a) for generating thermal units using magnetocaloric material comprises a magnetic element (2a) coupled to a power supply (3a), a magnetocaloric element (4a), a circuit (5) for thermal exchange fluid in which one or more thermal exchange fluids are made to circulate by means of circulation (6), and two heat exchangers (7, 8). The power supply (3a) is set up to generate electric pulses so as to create an impulsive magnetic field that causes the heating and the cooling of the magnetocaloric element (4a) and hence of the thermal exchange fluid.

Abstract: The device (10) for continuous generation of cold and heat by the magneto-calorific effect, comprises a chamber (11), divided into two adjacent compartments (12, 13), separated by a wall (14). The chamber (11) contains a rotating element (15) made from at least one magneto-calorific material, a first circuit (17a) with a first heat exchange fluid circulating therein and a second circuit (17b) with a second heat exchange fluid circulating therein. The chamber (11) is connected to magnetic device (16) for generating a magnetic field in the region of the compartment (12) in which the rotating element (15) is located. When the above is set in rotation the part thereof located in the first compartment (12) is magnetized upon undergoing an increase in temperature. On passing into the second compartment (13), the part is demagnetized upon undergoing a cooling.

Abstract: The device (10), for the continuous generation of cold and heat by magneto-calorific effect, comprises a mixture of a heat exchange fluid and particles made from at least one magneto-calorific material, superconductor or phase-change material circulating through a first heat exchanger (11) subject to a magnetic field generated by magnetic device (14), associated with the first heat exchanger (11). On passing into the generated magnetic field, the particles undergo an increase in temperature and heat the mixture in the first heat exchanger (11) and on leaving the magnetic field, the particles undergo a reduction in temperature to cool a mixture entering a second heat exchanger (12). A cold circuit (16) extracts the cold from the second heat exchanger (12) and a hot circuit (15) extracts the heat from the first heat exchanger (11).

Abstract: A magnetic material for magnetic refrigeration has a composition represented by (R11-yR2y)xFe100-x (R1 is at least one of element selected from Sm and Er, R2 is at least one of element selected from Ce, Pr, Nd, Tb and Dy, and x and y are numerical values satisfying 4?x?20 atomic % and 0.05?y?0.95), and includes a Th2Zn17 crystal phase, a Th2Ni17 crystal phase, or a TbCu7 crystal phase as a main phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic refrigerator comprising separated hot and cold heat exchange units wherein a heat transfer fluid that exchanges a heat with a magnetic heat exchange unit having the magnetocaloric material pieces arranged to have a gap therebetween separately circulates through a solenoid valve.

Abstract: A method of operating a cooling device is provided. The method includes sequentially regulating a temperature of a plurality of thermally coupled magneto-caloric elements for maximizing a magneto-caloric effect for each of the magneto-caloric elements when subjected to a magnetic regenerative refrigeration cycle.

Abstract: An active magnetic refrigerator includes separated hot and cold heat exchange units wherein a heat transfer fluid that exchanges a heat with a magnetic heat exchange unit having the magnetocaloric material pieces arranged to have a gap therebetween separately circulates through a solenoid valve.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed herein is an apparatus for performing a thermodynamic cycle comprising: a sample that exhibits temporary magnetic remanence; and a magnetisation apparatus for magnetising the sample, wherein the magnetisation apparatus is operable, during a first part of the thermodynamic cycle, to produce a cyclically-varying magnetising field comprising a wavetrain of a single or plurality of consecutive cycles, and to remove the magnetising field from the sample during a second part of the thermodynamic cycle, wherein demagnetisation of the sample during the second part of the thermodynamic cycle causes the generation of an independent magnetic flux.

Abstract: An improved design for maintaining separation between electrodes in tunneling, diode, thermionic, and other devices is disclosed. At least one electrode is made from flexible material. A magnetic field is present to combine with the current flowing in the flexible electrode and generate a force that counterbalances the electrostatic force between the electrodes. The balancing of forces allows the separation and parallelism between the electrodes to be maintained at a very small spacing without requiring the use of multiple control systems, actuators, or other manipulating means, or spacers. The shape of one or both electrodes is designed to maintain a constant separation over the entire overlapping area of the electrodes. The end result is an electronic device that maintains two closely spaced parallel electrodes in stable equilibrium with a uniform gap therebetween over a large area in a simple configuration for simplified manufacturability and use to convert heat to electricity or electricity to cooling.

Abstract: Specific embodiments of magnetocaloric materials useful in magnetic refrigeration systems, for example, are disclosed. The magnetocaloric materials include nickel-manganese-gallium (NiMnGa) alloys in which substitution is made from some of the manganese. Copper is preferably substituted for at least some of the manganese, but cobalt or a combination of cobalt and copper could also be substituted for at least some of the manganese. In the preferred embodiment, the material comprises a nickel-manganese-copper-gallium of the composition Ni2Mn1-xCuxGa, where x is greater than or equal to about 0.22.

Abstract: A cryogenic magnet system, comprising a cryogenic vessel (1) housing a magnet winding, a vacuum jacket (3) enclosing the cryogenic vessel and a refrigerator (4) at least partially housed within the vacuum jacket and thermally linked (6) to the cryogenic vessel. In particular, the system further comprises an electromagnetic shield.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a thermal generator which is non-polluting, has very good energy efficiency, is of simple and economical design and uses little energy, at the same time as being capable of further development, flexible and modular. In this thermal generator (1), the thermal elements (3) composed of magneto-calorific material each comprises two separate collector circuits (31 and 32), a “hot” collector circuit connected to a hot heat transfer fluid circuit (51) and a “cold” collector circuit (32) linked to a cold heat transfer fluid circuit (52). The heat transfer fluid is made to move alternately in one or the other of the collector circuits (31 and 32) depending on whether or not the thermal elements (3) are subjected to the magnetic field generated by the magnets (40) moving in rotation around a central axis (B) with respect to the thermal elements (3).

Abstract: A magnetic refrigerating device includes: at least one set of double-structured Halbach type magnet including a ring-shaped inner Halbach type magnet and a ring-shaped outer Halbach type magnet which are coaxially arranged one another so that a magnetic field generated by the inner Halbach type magnet is superimposed with a magnetic field generated by the outer Halbach type magnet; a magnetic refrigerant or a magnetic refrigeration working chamber including the magnetic refrigerant therein disposed in a bore space of the inner Halbach type magnet; and a rotating mechanism to rotate the outer Halbach type magnet while the inner Halbach type magnet is stationed.

Abstract: A magnetic refrigerator includes a magnetic heat exchange unit including a magnet.

Abstract: A regenerator material is comprised of a granular body made of bismuth or an alloy of bismuth and antimony. A rate of the granular body having a grain size of 0.14 mm to 1.6 mm is 70% by weight or more with respect to the entire granular body, and a rate of the granular body in which a ratio of a major axis to a minor axis is 5 or more is 70% by weight or more with respect to the entire granular body. Thereby, there is provided a regenerator material, more friendly to the environment, easily turned into a spherical shape, having sufficient mechanical strength for use, low cost, and having a superior thermal property when used for a cryocooler.

Abstract: A vapor compression apparatus and a method for operating a vapor compression system are provided. A working fluid is conveyed through a vapor compression system having a fluid line. A charging element is connected to the fluid line to direct an electric charge into working fluid. The electric charge is operable to disrupt intermolecular forces and weaken intermolecular attraction to enhance expansion of the working fluid to the vapor phase, increasing the capacity, performance and efficiency of the system components, and reducing system cycling mechanical wear and energy consumption.

Abstract: A method and system of energy storage in which energy is stored in the compression of a metastable degenerate Fermi electron gas contained in a compressed metallic base material such as lithium in a high pressure cell which is subjected to a magnetic field to further compress the metastable degenerate Fermi electron gas. In operation, heat energy is introduced to increase the energy of the compressed metastable degenerate Fermi electron gas which causes the magnetic field associated therewith to increase to further compress the metastable degenerate Fermi electron gas, which causes the heat to be absorbed and results in a decrease in the temperature thereof. Energy can be withdrawn from the system by allowing the metastable degenerate Fermi electron gas to expand against the compressing magnetic field. The lithium is precompressed prior to cryogenic cooling thereof.

Abstract: A thermal transfer device having a first substrate layer, a second substrate layer and first and second electrodes disposed between the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer. The thermal transfer device also includes a release layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and an actuator disposed adjacent the first and second electrodes. The actuator is adapted to separate the first and second electrodes from the release layer to open a thermotunneling gap between the first and second electrodes, and wherein the actuator is adapted to actively control the thermotunneling gap.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the temperature of a heat-generating component such as a laser. A microelectromechanical system for controlling the temperature of the heat-generating component includes a magnetic heat sink device, a temperature sensor, and control circuitry. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the heat-generating component through the heat sink and feeds the sensed temperature to the control circuitry. The detected temperature is compared to a predetermined temperature set point. When the detected temperature is higher than the temperature set point, a command is sent to the magnetic heat sink to take more heat out of the heat-generating component. When the detected temperature is lower than the temperature set point, a command is sent to the magnetic heat sink to take less heat out of the heat-generating component.

Abstract: Modular expandable hyperpolarizers include a central control module and at least one optical pumping module that can be expandable to a plurality of optical pumping modules that can be separately operated depending on the capacity demands at the production site (hospital, clinic and the like). Methods for producing blended polarized gas products include introducing a pre-packaged pre-mixed amount of a polarizer-ready blend of unpolarized gas. Methods for producing the polarized gas can be carried out at the point of use site and the production run according to patient load. Other methods consider the patient load and automatically schedule the hyperpolarizer to yield the desired polarized gas doses to support the patient and/or MRI/NMR equipment schedule.

Abstract: Hyperpolarizers for producing polarized noble gases can include: (a) a control module configured to direct the operation of a hyperpolarizer to produce polarized noble gas via spin-exchange interactions between a noble gas and an alkali metal; (b) at least one optical pumping module including an optical pumping cell operably associated with the control module; (c) a dispensing system operably associated with the control module and the optical pumping module to dispense meted volumes of polarized gas from the hyperpolarizer; and (d) a fluid distribution system operably associated with the control module, the optical pumping module, and the dispensing system, such that, in response to commands transmitted from the control module, the fluid distribution system operates to automatically direct purge gas into and out of a gas travel path that extends from the control module to the optical pumping cell prior to commencing the spin-exchange interactions in the optical pumping cell, then to receive unpolarized gas an

Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration material has magnetic material particles with a magnetocaloric effect and an oxidation-resistant film formed on the surfaces of the magnetic material particles.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thermal transfer device including providing first and second thermally conductive substrates that are substantially atomically flat, providing a patterned electrical barrier having a plurality of closed shapes on the first thermally conductive substrate and providing a nanotube catalyst material on the first thermally conductive substrate in a nanotube growth area oriented within each of the plurality of closed shapes of the patterned electrical barrier. The method also includes orienting the second thermally conductive substrate opposite the first thermally conductive substrate such that the patterned electrical barrier is disposed between the first and second thermally conductive substrates and providing a precursor gas proximate the nanotube catalyst material to facilitate growth of nanotubes in the nanotube growth areas from the first thermally conductive substrate toward, and limited by, the second thermally conductive substrate.

Abstract: A device for transporting heat from a cold reservoir to a warm reservoir, in which at least two cyclic processes are employed for transporting heat thereby absorbing work, of which at least one is a regenerative cyclic process, and at least one is a magnetocaloric cyclic process, wherein the regenerative cyclic process has a working fluid and a heat storage medium, is characterized in that the heat storage medium of the regenerative cyclic process comprises a magnetocaloric material for the magnetocaloric cyclic process, wherein the magnetocaloric material is in a regenerator area with a cold end and a warm end, the working fluid of the regenerative cyclic process additionally serving as a heat transfer fluid for the magnetocaloric cyclic process. This produces a compact device with low apparative expense, wherein the power density and also the efficiency of the device are increased. The device may advantageously be used for cooling a superconducting magnet configuration.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a Gap Diode is disclosed in which a tubular actuating element serves as both a housing for a pair of electrodes (92) and as a means for controlling the separation between the electrode pair. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular actuating element (90) is a quartz piezo-electric tube. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a Gap Diode is disclosed which is fabricated by micromachining techniques in which the separation of the electrodes (202, 206) is controlled by piezo-electric, electrostrictive or magnetostrictive actuators. Preferred embodiments of Gap Diodes include Cool Chips, Power Chips, and photoelectric converters.

Abstract: The magnetic composite material of the present invention is used as a working substance in the magnetic refrigeration system and comprising at least two phases, including, a first phase composed of an intermetallic compound represented by a general formula: La(Fe(Co, Ni)Si)13, having an NaZn13 type crystal structure, and a second phase is composed of an iron alloy containing Si. The first phase is precipitated in an expansion size of 100 ?m or less in average. Preferably, the magnetic composite material contains Fe as a principal component, La in an amount from 4 atomic % to 12 atomic %, Si in an amount from 2 atomic % to 21 atomic %, and Co and Ni in a total amount from 0 atomic % to 11 atomic %, and the total amount of Fe, Co and Ni being from 75 atomic % to 92 atomic %.

Abstract: An alloy made of heat treated material represented by Gd5(SixGe1?x)4 where 0.47?x?0.56 that exhibits a magnetic entropy change (??Sm) of at least 16 J/kg K, a magnetostriction of at least 2000 parts per million, and a magnetoresistance of at least 5 percent at a temperature of about 300K and below, and method of heat treating the material between 800 to 1600 degrees C. for a time to this end.

Abstract: The magnetic material for magnetic refrigeration of the present invention is characterized by exhibiting, in a certain temperature region, preferably, only in part of a temperature region from 200 K to 350 K, an inflection point at which a second order differential coefficient of a magnetization curve changes from positive to negative with respect to a magnetic field, within the range of this magnetic field formed using a permanent magnet unit. This magnetic material of the present invention can generate a low temperature by using a relatively low magnetic field, by transferring the entropy between the electron spin system and the lattice system near the temperature at which an inflection point appears on the magnetization curve. Examples of the magnetic material meeting this condition are La(Fe,Si)13, (Hf,Ta)Fe2, (Ti,Sc)Fe2, and (Nb,Mo)Fe2, each containing 50 to 60 atomic % of transition metals such as Fe.

Abstract: A magnetocaloric effect heterostructure having a core layer of a magnetostructural material with a giant magnetocaloric effect having a magnetic transition temperature equal to or greater than 150 K, and a constricting material layer coated on at least one surface of the magnetocaloric material core layer. The constricting material layer may enhance the magnetocaloric effect by restriction of volume changes of the core layer during application of a magnetic field to the heterostructure. A magnetocaloric effect heterostructure powder comprising a plurality of core particles of a magnetostructural material with a giant magnetocaloric effect having a magnetic transition temperature equal to or greater than 150 K, wherein each of the core particles is encapsulated within a coating of a constricting material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A material that can be used for magnetic refrigeration, wherein the material substantially has the general formula (AYB1?y)2+?C1?xDx) wherein A is selected from Mn and Co; B is selected from Fe and Cr; C and D are different and are selected from P, As, B, Se, Ge, Si and Sb; x and y each is a number in the range 0–1; and ? is a number from (?0.1)–(+0.1).

Abstract: A transport unit includes a plurality of permanent magnets arranged to provide a magnetic holding field for protecting hyperpolarized gas during storage and/or transport. The permanent magnets are configured in a relatively light weight manner to project a substantially cylindrical magnetic holding field or spherical holding field in space. The magnet arrangements can include primary magnets and field shaping secondary magnets which act to enlarge the region of homogeneity. The permanent magnet arrangement can also be provided with a cylindrical shaped flex sheet magnetically activated to provide the magnetic holding field. The permanent magnet arrangements do not require disassembly to insert or remove one or more containers of hyperpolarized gas in or out of the transport unit.

Abstract: The magnetic material for magnetic refrigeration according to the present invention has an NaZn13-type crystalline structure and comprises iron (Fe) as a principal element (more specifically, Fe is substituted for the position of “Zn”) and hydrogen (H) in an amount of 2 to 18 atomic % based on all constitutional elements. Preferably, the magnetic material for magnetic refrigeration preferably contains 61 to 87 atomic % of Fe, 4 to 18 atomic % of a total amount of Si and Al, 5 to 7 atomic % of La. The magnetic material for magnetic refrigeration exhibits a large entropy change in a room temperature region and no thermal hysteresis in a magnetic phase transition. Therefore, when a magnetic refrigeration cycle is configured using the magnetic material for magnetic refrigeration, a stable operation can be performed.

Abstract: A thermoelectric transducer comprising an emitter (1) for emitting electrons according to the action of heat or an electric field, a collector (2) disposed so as to face the emitter (1) and collect electrons emitted from the emitter (1), and an electron transport layer (3) held between the emitter (1) and the collector (2) to serve as a region for transferring the electrons emitted from the emitter (1), the electron transport layer (3) being a porous body having a mixed structure of a vapor phase and a solid phase, the entire solid phase which composes the porous body being composed of an insulating material, and the electrons emitted from the emitter traveling in the vapor phase by applying an electric potential to the collector (2) that is higher than that applied to the emitter (1).

Abstract: a cooling apparatus 110 comprises a primary refrigerant circulating circuit which allows a primary refrigerant CW1 whose temperature is adjusted by a heat exchanger 138 to circulate through an electrode to adjust a temperature of the electrode, a secondary refrigerant circulating circuit which supplies a secondary refrigerant CW2 to the heat exchanger to adjust the temperature of the primary refrigerant, and a freezing circuit 140 which has a first heat exchanger 141 interposed in the secondary refrigerant circulating circuit and which adjust a temperature of the secondary refrigerant by a tertiary refrigerant. The temperature of the primary refrigerant is adjusted by the secondary refrigerant without adjusting the temperature using the freezing circuit. When a temperature of the primary refrigerant is set higher than that of the secondary refrigerant, the temperature of the primary refrigerant can be adjusted only by the secondary refrigerant.

Abstract: A compact portable transport unit for shipping hyperpolarized noble gases and shielding same from electromagnetic interference and/or external magnetic fields includes a means for shifting the resonance frequency of the hyperpolarized gas outside the bandwidth of typical frequencies associated with prevalent time-dependent fields produced by electrical sources. Preferably the transport unit includes a magnetic holding field which is generated from a solenoid in the transport unit. The solenoid includes a plurality of coil segments and is sized and configured to receive the gas chamber of a container. The gas container is configured with a valve, a spherical body, and an extending capillary stem between the valve and the body. The gas container or hyperpolarized product container can also be formed as a resilient bag.

Abstract: A solid state thermal control device contains a substrate and a plurality of solid state thermal elements on the substrate. The thermal elements are adapted to provide thermal control to a device under test (DUT). Each solid state thermal element contains at least one solid state heater and an active control circuit adapted to control a thermal output of the heater. Optionally, the each thermal element may also include a solid state temperature sensor.

Abstract: A passive gas-gap heat switch for use with a multi-stage continuous adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR). The passive gas-gap heat switch turns on automatically when the temperature of either side of the switch rises above a threshold value and turns off when the temperature on either side of the switch falls below this threshold value. One of the heat switches in this multistage process must be conductive in the 0.25° K to 0.3° K range. All of the heat switches must be capable of switching off in a short period of time (1-2 minutes), and when off to have a very low thermal conductance. This arrangement allows cyclic cooling cycles to be used without the need for separate heat switch controls.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermal physics, in particular to a method and apparatus for cooling a working medium and a method for generating microwave radiation. The object is to reduce the power consumed in the cooling process and in the conversion of electric power into electromagnetic radiation energy. A working medium, molecules of which exhibit a stable dipole moment, is placed into a closed working zone of electrical field effect, the electric field having an intensity satisfying the condition: ?E>107 D V/m where: ? is the dipole moment of the working medium molecules, in Debyes (D), E is the electric field intensity, in V/m; and passage of electric current is prevented through the closed working zone. In generation of microwave radiation, exit of the microwave radiation is provided from the closed working zone of electric field effect, and heat is removed through absorption of the microwave radiation by an external coolant.

Abstract: A compressor having a housing with a compression mechanism mounted therein. A suction fluid passageway is located in the housing through which the compression mechanism receives refrigerant fluid. A thermoelectric device is in thermal communication with refrigerant fluid substantially at suction pressure in the suction fluid passageway. The thermoelectric device receives thermal energy from the suction fluid passageway and refrigerant fluid therein with the thermal energy being transferred from the compressor assembly.

Abstract: A reciprocating and rotating magnetic refrigeration apparatus adopts a dynamo concept and the design of magnetic supply path and heat transfer unit to alternately magnetize and demagnetize a magnetocaloric material to generate thermo-magnetic effect for cooling. The apparatus includes magnetocaloric material located on the head of stator nose poles, magnetic supply coils surrounding the magnetocaloric material, permanent magnets located on a rotating stator, and a heat transfer unit in contact with the magnetocaloric material. Two adjacent magnetocaloric materials magnetize and demagnetize alternately to alter the temperature and entropy of the magnetocaloric material, and through the heat transfer unit, heat exchange occurs between the magnetocaloric materials and the atmosphere to achieve the cooling effect.

Abstract: Thermal transfer devices according to the present invention comprise electrocaloric materials that increase in temperature upon application of an applied voltage thereto and decrease in temperature upon removal of the applied voltage. In specific embodiments of the present invention, the electrocaloric materials, described in further detail below, are configured such that the respective increases and decreases in temperature of the electrocaloric material extend from about ?10° C. to about 50° C. As a result, thermal transfer devices according to the present invention are suitable for use in a wide variety of practical refrigeration applications. In accordance with 37 CFR 1.72(b), the purpose of this abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract will not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A magnetocaloric effect heterostructure having a core layer of a giant magnetocaloric material and an elastically stiff material layer coated on at least one surface of the magnetocaloric material layer. The elastically stiff material layer restricts volume changes of the core layer during application of a magnetic field to the heterostructure. A magnetocaloric effect composite powder including a plurality of core particles of a giant magnetocaloric material. Each of the core particles is encapsulated within a coating of elastically stiff material that restricts volume changes of the core particles during application of a magnetic field thereto. A method for enhancing the magnetocaloric effect within a giant magnetocaloric material including the step of coating a surface of the magnetocaloric material with an elastically stiff material. The elastically stiff material restricts volume changes of the magnetocaloric material during application of a magnetic field thereto.

Abstract: A material that can be used for magnetic refrigeration, wherein the material substantially has the general formula (AYB1−y)2+&dgr;C1−xDx) wherein A is selected from Mn and Co; B is selected from Fe and Cr; C and D are different and are selected from P, As, B, Se, Ge, Si and Sb; x and y each is a number in the range 0-1; and &dgr; is a number from (−0.1)-(+0.1).