RSS
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Bio Robot Refrigerator
As promised, here are the details on the Electrolux Bio Robot Refrigerator, a concept that has been making quite a splash in the blogosphere! In lay terms, the fridge is a concept where the Bio Robot cools biopolymer gel through luminescence. A non-sticky gel surrounds the food item when shoved into the biopolymer gel, creating separate pods. The design features no doors or drawers, and the food items are individually cooled at their optimal temperature thanks to the robot. And since it can take any orientation (hung vertically, horizontally, and even on the ceiling), and can be modified in size, you can fit it in any apartment.
More details in the images…
Designer: Yuriy Dmitriev
308 Comments »
Lamah says
Sorry man, cooling DOES require energy no matter what magic crap you throw at it. If you could cool something without requiring any energy, you could use the resulting temperature difference between it and the environment to power a perpetual motion machine and create infinite power.
Mike says
No magic here. What is happening is you use heat energy (IR) of the product in the fridge to produce visible light. Just like a plant is using visible light to drive the chemical reactions or a firefly using chemical reactions to produce light. So thermodynamics does not have a problem with this.
The question is how efficient this transfer is. The answer will tell you how low you can get the temperature to be, before the “nanobots” or whatever they use to do the convertion have not enough IR to drive the process. My guess not very low at all. The hotter the product the better the cooling effect though.
Gunnar Tveiten says
You, sir. Are an idiot.
That was the stupidest comment I’ve seen on Yanko this year, and that is saying something.
Mike says
Ok I suppose electrolux engineers (who own the concept) are idiots as well?
Eivind says
If they suggest making a refrigirator that “does not require expenditure of energy for cooling purposes”, then yes.
Nonsense is nonsense, regardless of who utters it.
Jon says
Yes. Seeing as how this would earn a Nobel prize for Physics for large scale breaking of the second law of thermodynamics, if they’re marketing this as working anytime in the foreseeable future they are idiots. Buzzwords != science.
Mike says
No one is suggesting that there is no energy input involved in there. I didn’t think that anyone would even consider inferring that either from an article or from what I’ve said. That would be ridiculous and I don’t think fridges would be the first thing we’d put “free energy” in now, would we?
All they are saying is that you don’t need electricity to run it. I don’t work for electrolux and I wouldn’t know, but I’d think that the energy is probably coming from some chemical reaction in the gel itself, so you’d need to replace the gel once it’s resource is used up. Again. There is nothing wrong with the concept of taking in IR and emitting visible radiation, its just a novel method of heat dissipation (instead of IR radiating grills that are currently used). It just needs some sort of input, which by no means has to be electricity!
Do you see what I’m trying to argue here?
Tim says
I have little knowledge of the physics behind this but i understand your statements about you cant cool without energy.
But, if noone else has noticed (although Im sure you have) there are quite a few typo's in the description leading me to think this has been translated from another language (may or may not be true.)
Although they have said it requires no energy in the benefits section they also state, and i quote:
"There is no need provide a space for opening the door, no need to wash and most importantly, it uses less electricity"
I think the confusion is as much in the science as it in the language barrier.
Tim says
I have little knowledge of the physics behind this but i understand your statements about you cant cool without energy.
But, if noone else has noticed (although Im sure you have) there are quite a few typo's in the description leading me to think this has been translated from another language (may or may not be true.)
Although they have said it requires no energy in the benefits section they also state, and i quote:
“There is no need provide a space for opening the door, no need to wash and most importantly, it uses less electricity”
I think the confusion is as much in the science as it in the language barrier.
uigrad says
Who said that electrolux engineers endorsed the concept? Looking at the other 24 designs that they picked, it seems like style and artwork were the only aspects that determined which entries were picked.
All 25 entries are here: http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/06/14/the-top-25-entries-of-electrolux-design-lab-2010/
As someone else said, refrigeration always requires energy. Sure, you can make something cooler with an endothermic reaction, but it is not repeatable. Replacing a gel every day would not be economically efficient in any manner!
Face it, this fridge is not powered by electricity, it’s powered by dreams and unicorns.
John Hamm says
Not correct – the heat IS the energy, the fuel. The laws of thermodynamics are intact – the “glowing” of the gel uses the “heat” in the food as fuel, and the byproduct is that the food is cooled.
Gunnar Tveiten says
Using the heat of the products, in order to cool the products is a nonsense statement.
Sure, if the products are warmer than ambient, they will cool down to ambient. You don’t need a refrigirator for that though.
The job of a fridge is to keep the contents -colder- than the ambient. You can’t do that, by using energy from the heat in the product.
I’m sorry, but this is just ridicolous.
Devin says
when the light bulb was invented did people think it was ridiculous sure but does that mean it isn’t true try one and then if u dont like it complain
igazbin says
Sorry. When the light bulb was invented people did not think it was ridiculous. They adopted it rapidly because it was a transformative invention which addressed a universal need. Also, it worked. A goofy green concept using non-existent technology, un-built, un-tested, un-needed is an entirely different thing. If the designer wants encouragement he should call his parents.
Gunnar Tveiten says
Nobody (sane anyway!) claimed when the lightbulb was invented that making things glow hot-white, by heating them, is fundamentally impossible and violates everything we know about physics.
To the contrary, people had centuries of experience that this works, ask any smith, and he’ll confirm that metals tend to glow when hot enough, and glow more the hotter they are.
This, in contrast, DOES violate everything we know. It’s not a question of technology – it’s a question of basic physics.
Tyler says
Ambience has nothing to do with it… the gel absorbs the heat energy from the food, making the food cooler. Granted, that makes the gel warmer, but THAT is where the luminescence comes into play. The heat in the gel is converted to light and radiated off, thus cooling the gel and allowing it to absorb MORE heat from the food… if you aren’t an ignorant tard it’s actually easy to see that this is thermodynamically sound.
Alex says
umm, if my teachers not an outright liar, and my mifflin txt book too, heat and light are not necisarily connected. the thing is, you cant rly fit anything in that, if you look closely its clearly doctored, and food doesnt make its own heat, not that it can be used as a fuel. the glowing of the gel is just light (without temperature as any reasonably smart 5 year old would know) being reflected off of the gel. the creators of the article didnt even bother to look at spell check, there are typos…
Markus says
well sorry but then your teacher IS an outright liar (and so is your txt book) or you just didn't understant what he/she was trying to tell you. light (as a wave) carries energy. heat is a form of energy (thermic energy) and as such can be carried by a lightwave (remeber: if you put something out in the sun it will get warm because it absorbs the energy carried by the sunlight). everything that is "warm" naturally emits infrared light (which is invisible to the human eye but detectible with certain methods)
of course food (since it's dead) doesn't "make" any heat but since your food should have a temperature above 5°C when you put it inside the fridge, it adds heat to the system (refrigerator-gel) which has to be emitted somehow
and this could be done through emission of light.
so up to this point, the author is correct but unfortunately there are some problems to the autor's idea.
from how I understand this concept, the author intends his "bio robots" absorb the energy (heat) of the food (and the surrounding air) and turn it into visible light which them emit (and that without the use of any additional energy).
this concept has some flaws to it:
1. since his "robots" are biological organisms they would need energy ("food") to stay alive
2. the process of turning unvisible radiation (heat) into visile light would need energy (but this energy could be provided by the organism)
3. if something emmits radiation, it does that in ANY direction. of course you could mount a mirror on the backside of the fridge but still this would be quiet ineffective
still I think this idea could be useable if we would manage to engineer an organism that has the necessary abilities. however such a fridge wouldn't work without any "fuel" but you could provide this in form of some shugar, proteines and amino acids instead of electricity.
Alex says
umm, if my teachers not an outright liar, and my mifflin txt book too, heat and light are not necisarily connected. the thing is, you cant rly fit anything in that, if you look closely its clearly doctored, and food doesnt make its own heat, not that it can be used as a fuel. the glowing of the gel is just light (without temperature as any reasonably smart 5 year old would know) being reflected off of the gel. the creators of the article didnt even bother to look at spell check, there are typos…
Markus says
well sorry but then your teacher IS an outright liar (and so is your txt book) or you just didn't understant what he/she was trying to tell you. light (as a wave) carries energy. heat is a form of energy (thermic energy) and as such can be carried by a lightwave (remeber: if you put something out in the sun it will get warm because it absorbs the energy carried by the sunlight). everything that is “warm” naturally emits infrared light (which is invisible to the human eye but detectible with certain methods)
of course food (since it's dead) doesn't “make” any heat but since your food should have a temperature above 5C when you put it inside the fridge, it adds heat to the system (refrigerator-gel) which has to be emitted somehow
and this could be done through emission of light.
so up to this point, the author is correct but unfortunately there are some problems to the autor's idea.
from how I understand this concept, the author intends his “bio robots” absorb the energy (heat) of the food (and the surrounding air) and turn it into visible light which them emit (and that without the use of any additional energy).
this concept has some flaws to it:
1. since his “robots” are biological organisms they would need energy (“food”) to stay alive
2. the process of turning unvisible radiation (heat) into visile light would need energy (but this energy could be provided by the organism)
3. if something emmits radiation, it does that in ANY direction. of course you could mount a mirror on the backside of the fridge but still this would be quiet ineffective
still I think this idea could be useable if we would manage to engineer an organism that has the necessary abilities. however such a fridge wouldn't work without any “fuel” but you could provide this in form of some shugar, proteines and amino acids instead of electricity.
zach sigman says
wht you are not considering is that the “heat” being converted to energy is the chemical reaction of decomposising protiens. so in effect food that is rotting preserves itself
t2k says
yo all there saying is u don't need to plug it in i dont know what there using to power it but they just worded it badly
t2k says
yo all there saying is u don't need to plug it in i dont know what there using to power it but they just worded it badly
Will Lundberg says
Simple… Food Spoils. This is a reaction. This reaction is chemical. This chemical reaction radiates heat. The heat being radiated is the energy source (IR). Many items turn one energy source into another energy source. Motors turn electric power into mechanical power, light bulbs turn electricity into both light energy and heat energy. Your body turns food into heat energy. IR energy, changes chemicals consumed into methane, kinetic energy etc… Pressure on a crystal causes vibrations and produces electricity (see piezoelectric effect). These are not miracles breaking the laws of physics. They use the laws of physics to change one energy into another. This is simply changing the reactions happening organically in food (that is why compost heaps get hot) into light… Where does the light go… it is emitted into the room like a light bulb. There is no need to get it back or get a mirror to reflect it. This is why it states the item is cooled to its optimum temperature. Every bit of energy it starts to produce is extrapolated. Think of a fuse that uses the theory of thermal run away. Bacteria multiply faster in the temperature danger zone and this can usually be avoided if the food is kept below 45 degrees. The energy produced is expelled and it helps keep the food out of the TDZ. However, the question would then be… what about products that do not decay in a normal state such as my beer. I do not see the natural decay emitted by my beer bottles to keep it as cold as I would like. This really seems to be a system meant to rid foods that would decay rapidly rather than a true refrigerator. This would make a great place for items like bananas, fish, vegetables, but I think you will have to find another place to cool your snickers bar and wine.
Will Lundberg says
Simple… Food Spoils. This is a reaction. This reaction is chemical. This chemical reaction radiates heat. The heat being radiated is the energy source (IR). Many items turn one energy source into another energy source. Motors turn electric power into mechanical power, light bulbs turn electricity into both light energy and heat energy. Your body turns food into heat energy. IR energy, changes chemicals consumed into methane, kinetic energy etc… Pressure on a crystal causes vibrations and produces electricity (see piezoelectric effect). These are not miracles breaking the laws of physics. They use the laws of physics to change one energy into another. This is simply changing the reactions happening organically in food (that is why compost heaps get hot) into light… Where does the light go… it is emitted into the room like a light bulb. There is no need to get it back or get a mirror to reflect it. This is why it states the item is cooled to its optimum temperature. Every bit of energy it starts to produce is extrapolated. Think of a fuse that uses the theory of thermal run away. Bacteria multiply faster in the temperature danger zone and this can usually be avoided if the food is kept below 45 degrees. The energy produced is expelled and it helps keep the food out of the TDZ. However, the question would then be… what about products that do not decay in a normal state such as my beer. I do not see the natural decay emitted by my beer bottles to keep it as cold as I would like. This really seems to be a system meant to rid foods that would decay rapidly rather than a true refrigerator. This would make a great place for items like bananas, fish, vegetables, but I think you will have to find another place to cool your snickers bar and wine.
Gunnar Tveiten says
Here’s a hint: Putting words like “bio” and “nano” in your description, does not free you from adhering to basic laws of physics, such as thermodynamics.
Armin says
Yeah, I just cracked up when I read “bio nano robots”.
@Lamah: this one always bugged me, “you need energy to create cold”, since heat is a form of energy. Well, guess it’ll happen some day, maybe using “digital nano bio bots”.
Gunnar Tveiten says
Technically, it’s about entropy. If you have one cold object, and one warm object, and put them together, after a while, both will be medium-warm, the heat will spread evenly.
Cooling without spending energy, is the same as suggesting you could somehow get the heat back into one object, and make the other object cold, without inputing energy. And that’s not possible.
Heat, you see, only lets you extract energy if there is a temperature-differential. If you’ve got a source of heat AND one of cold, you can generate energy from the difference. But if you’ve got only heat, you cannot.
This is basic thermodynamics, and frankly, anyone who designs refrigirators, needs to know about it.
Armin says
Thanks for clearing that up.
But what about chemical reactions? i.e. use an endothermic reaction for cooling, this should produce a higher energy substance which (if your lucky) you could use the revert the reaction. Although this in turn would be exothermic, the sum heat should be lower and you could position this away from the item to be cooled.
Gunnar Tveiten says
In a word: no. You cannot let a reaction run first in one direction, then in the other direction, and end up with more energy than you had when you started.
If you could, you could create a infinite amount of energy for free, and matter too, since energy and matter is really the same thing.
The short designer-not-engineer explanation is simply that cooling something to a temperature lower than the ambient temperature, requires energy, and always will, regardless of how clever you are.
Unless you manage to revolutionize the laws of physics.
Armin says
“You cannot let a reaction run first in one direction, then in the other direction, and end up with more energy than you had when you started.”
That would be a perpetuum mobile, which obviously is impossible (would be nice though, not having to pay an electricity bill). Also, the goal is to end up with LESS (thermal) energy, i.e. cool objects.
btw, i’m not trying to be hard-headed, just bouncing ideas/better understand things.
Alfredo says
IMO its not about cooling or heating , is about keeping the food from oxidizing , wich is what makes it spoil.
u can preserve food with salt , and there u didnt need any energy.
all my U = you “lazy writer i am”
Rich says
No, food spoils because bacteria grow in it. You can preserve some foods by adding enough salt, because the salt kills the bacteria. You can also slow it down by cooling the food, which slows the bacteria's growth. Oxidation has nothing to do with it.
alex says
what about popsicles, they stay frozen without oxygen, right??? and what if i want some nice cool arizona ice tea. nope, just luke-warm ice tea
alex says
what about popsicles, they stay frozen without oxygen, right??? and what if i want some nice cool arizona ice tea. nope, just luke-warm ice tea
Jesse says
Gunnar,
while i agree,this all sounds really far fetched, i have a distinct distaste for the “know it all” way you state your facts without any sources. (a wiki to newton for example, would be an easy argument)
Intentions in cases like this are more about the ego boost to the poster, than anyone learning anything.
Also, please note there are many things in the natural world around us, (ants for example) that do not conform to the laws of physics at we know it, (i know that’s separate from energy, albert and newtons laws, but it’s in the same ball park)
your avatar makes me imagine you with a mustard stain on your shirt. Have fun convincing people on the internet your smart!
symball says
Jesse-
in what way do ants violate any laws of physics? it is a little cheeky to complain about a lack of sources and then drop a bomb like that without explanation
Matt says
Hate hate hate. Judge judge judge. Jesus, guys. Who gives a shit about the marketing gimmicks? It's still obviously the shit. Gah.
Matt says
Hate hate hate. Judge judge judge. Jesus, guys. Who gives a shit about the marketing gimmicks? It's still obviously the shit. Gah.
luis says
you, sir, are the biggest wise ass on the internet
twellve says
would like to know how one would keep this fridge clean. produce often has dirt on it and meats and dairy could get smelly (particularly after their expiration date), not to mention the whole bacteria issue, so how would the gel stay clean and fresh?
american fridges are ginormous and you’d be up to your elbows in green goo trying to fit everything in. not to mention organising things so you could find them would be a nightmare. then there’s the issue of different types of foods needing different temperatures and moisture levels…
interesting idea, not convinced it’s practical/doable.
Nickolas says
I like the concept tho, sometimes its okay to push the boundaries of current technology.
Glen says
Well it looks really cool…great profile and shape, but do we need to have such visual access to our leftovers.
igazbin says
Has the designer ever prepared food? Or does his mommy still do it for him. Bananas are never refrigerated, that turns them brown.
What is this site’s obsession with refrigerators all about?
igazbin says
Blocking me. For saying dumb is dumb. Site sensitive; hurt feelings?
gloob says
Once bananas are ripened to your liking, throw them in the fridge and they will stay fresh a few days longer than if they are left at room temps. Yes, they turn brown on the outside but inside they stay nice and ripe.
gloob says
Once bananas are ripened to your liking, throw them in the fridge and they will stay fresh a few days longer than if they are left at room temps. Yes, they turn brown on the outside but inside they stay nice and ripe.
Jonci says
I refrigerate bananas. The exterior skin will brown, but the fruit stays longer.
frdiby says
What are the controls/buttons on the side for, and are the grooves on the sides for carrying or some other purpose?
Rory says
I’m clearly not a physicist, but isn’t the argument here that using some currently unavailable or impractical technology (the prior mentioned bio-nano-techno-bots) there will be a conversion of ambient light or energy? If the case is that there is a built in generator of IR radiation, then any claims inferring free refrigeration are clearly fallacious. But if there is use of ambient energy, then in principle, this is similar to solar. All of this is very interesting, provided that there is a scrap of decent science, not just photoshop.
Eta says
True. Something similar to solar it would seem. However it would have to be very very effective beyond what we have to work indoors due to the lack of strong sunlight. Another problem would be sunlight creates heat that heats up the fridge. Would be kind of counter productive. Also the article says it wont spend energy for the cooling process which makes me think that there is some sort of energy requirement for the maintenance or something of the fridge.
Eta says
True. Something similar to solar it would seem. However it would have to be very very effective beyond what we have to work indoors due to the lack of strong sunlight. Another problem would be sunlight creates heat that heats up the fridge. Would be kind of counter productive. Also the article says it wont spend energy for the cooling process which makes me think that there is some sort of energy requirement for the maintenance or something of the fridge.
Levi says
oke, how much?
C says
this would work much better for showcasing dismembered body parts…
kind of reminds me of the old xmas cartoon where they encased all the toys in clear plastic cubes… burl ives narrated?
naw says
This could be possible if you make gel out of Maxwell Demons. But there is huge if: to do their work those little buggers need some energy, and it is estimated to be greater than resulting energy gain from their work. And i agree this idea is on level of StarTrek science.
igazbin says
A brilliant design in its way. The glowing green masks mold. With some bindings attached to the back it makes a good emergency snowboard. But I like best that it can be put on the ceiling for zero gravity situations. And just think, if you have a black eye, simply stick your head in it overnight.
Yes, I am having fun mocking this thing. Somebody has to call the emperor out. And this thing is just ridiculous.
igazbin says
Why are the specs metric? Why is it 2′-3″ wide, 6′-6″ tall? It’s 8′ deep; what keeps it from falling over, I want to put two cases of beer, a 5 gallon keg and five pizzas in it. Will it stay levitated at the ceiling? Does it come with bio nano stilts. How ’bout the ice maker?
Skrappy says
What about If you wanted to put all that stuff in a regular fridge?
Skrappy says
What about If you wanted to put all that stuff in a regular fridge?
Matt says
They would be in metric because there aren't all that many countries out there stupid enough to still be using the imperial system.
Connie Klube says
Correct!
Matt says
They would be in metric because there aren't all that many countries out there stupid enough to still be using the imperial system.
Connie Klube says
Correct!
Chaolin says
I’m inferring that these nanorobots can convert thermal energy into electrical energy. That’s really the only way this would make sense… Also, I know you can cool matter with the appropriate radiation (Steven Chu’s cooling lasers) but this would require INSANELY sensitive detectors…
Hunter says
wow people shut the f*** up. the fridge is kick ass. stop hating
Bob says
It would be neat, but the technobabble and ignoring of 17th-century physics makes this too laughable and absurd to enjoy. It's like redesigning the "Mr. Fusion" seen in Back to the Future, except that Mr Fusion is more realistic.
Original says
They see me cooling
They hatin
Hunter says
wow people shut the f*** up. the fridge is kick ass. stop hating
Bob says
It would be neat, but the technobabble and ignoring of 17th-century physics makes this too laughable and absurd to enjoy. It's like redesigning the “Mr. Fusion” seen in Back to the Future, except that Mr Fusion is more realistic.
Mike says
Anyone know how the chemicals involved in this process would affect the food, and how that food is taken into our bodies? There is movement to move away from certain plastics and other hormone-laden products for food storage. What do they say about the gel in use here?
Dave H. says
Ironically, if they hadn’t put in that “does not require expenditure of energy”, it would have actually been plausible — frequency-doubling of IR light is possible (though it’s usually done with laser light), and a “new sort of heat pump” would be perfectly reasonable.
But yeah, regardless of how the guts of it work, if you want to create a refrigerated space, you need to use energy for the cooling. (And your refrigerator will produce waste heat above and beyond whatever you pumped out of the fridge area.)
Note that this was from a design competition — that is, it hasn’t actually been built — and, as above, never will be. Also, as a previous commenter noted, you probably don’t want a mass of nanobots squishing around your kitchen, much less touching your food.
Air says
You people are all stupid.
If it works it works and will be on the market before we know it.
If it doesn't work then we won't see it on the market.
There I solved your stupid conflict about who is right, no need to use fancy words and laws.
Johnny says
although a bit fuzzy on the details, it's not that bad of a concept. and if you ACTUALLY read the text, it doesn't say "no electricity" it says "less electricity". what I think is weird though is the fact that typical photoluminescence takes highfrequency photons (like UV or Gamma) and turns it into the visible spectrum. doing it with IR (meaning lower frequency and lower energy) wouldn't get it to the visible spectrum. my quantum mechanics isn't the best, so i might be wrong.
Skrappy says
Obviously these people havent broken the laws of physics/thermodynamics or this technology wouldn't be used for a refrigerator. I also don't believe that this company is just trolling all of us, so were not getting something right here. While I am in no way qualified to explain this device, i do have an opinion like everyone else on the internet. It seems to me that if you put something warm in this gel, as it cools to ambient temp it releases energy that is stored with these "nano-bio-bots" or whatever. After it is now at ambient temperature and there is energy stored in this gel, the energy can now be used to cool the food further. The problem with this being, what happens when the food is in there long enough for it to re-warm back up to ambient temp. Obviously they are not claiming that this process takes no energy, they are claiming that it needs no external energy from a wall socket or battery or generator etc.
Chuck says
As others have mentioned, it violates thermodynamics.
Any passive process that can convert IR to visible will work the reverse way too. It will absorb visible from the environment and re-emit it as IR. Because there is no one-way passive process the fridge temperature will equilibrate to room temp.
Then of course, there is conducted heat. A liquid based gel is a great conductor of heat. It's the opposite of insulation. It will warm up your milk like no tomorrow.
This sounds like some marketing guy thought he could play engineer because he heard about infrared. It looks nice with pictures of food, just not real food.
muz says
you gotta have a head full of turd, maybe dingleberries of you believe this "fridge" is for real
Mike says
Anyone know how the chemicals involved in this process would affect the food, and how that food is taken into our bodies? There is movement to move away from certain plastics and other hormone-laden products for food storage. What do they say about the gel in use here?
uigrad says
Who said that electrolux engineers endorsed the concept? Looking at the other 24 designs that they picked, it seems like style and artwork were the only aspects that determined which entries were picked.
All 25 entries are here: http://www.yankodesign.com/2010/06/14/the-top-25-...
As someone else said, refrigeration always requires energy. Sure, you can make something cooler with an endothermic reaction, but it is not repeatable. Replacing a gel every day would not be economically efficient in any manner!
Face it, this fridge is not powered by electricity, it’s powered by dreams and unicorns.
tim says
What happens to a kid who gets stuck in this frige?
jabba says
bring me solo and the wookie
Sam says
I don't like Star Wars references, but this is just to damn funny and appropriate.
Sam says
I don't like Star Wars references, but this is just to damn funny and appropriate.
Dave H. says
Ironically, if they hadn’t put in that “does not require expenditure of energy”, it would have actually been plausible — frequency-doubling of IR light is possible (though it’s usually done with laser light), and a “new sort of heat pump” would be perfectly reasonable.
But yeah, regardless of how the guts of it work, if you want to create a refrigerated space, you need to use energy for the cooling. (And your refrigerator will produce waste heat above and beyond whatever you pumped out of the fridge area.)
Note that this was from a design competition — that is, it hasn’t actually been built — and, as above, never will be. Also, as a previous commenter noted, you probably don’t want a mass of nanobots squishing around your kitchen, much less touching your food.
Rob says
As stated in the second picture, this is NOT a fridge that requires no energy. It just does not need as much as the standard fridge you often see today.
Caddman says
"Cooling process does not require energy." – I think that disregards your comment, sir.
Xlaits says
If they make it a LOW power fridge, enough to cool the gel and regulate the temperature, then it, in theory, could work. But that means a slight electricity cost.
Air says
You people are all stupid.
If it works it works and will be on the market before we know it.
If it doesn't work then we won't see it on the market.
There I solved your stupid conflict about who is right, no need to use fancy words and laws.
Johnny says
although a bit fuzzy on the details, it's not that bad of a concept. and if you ACTUALLY read the text, it doesn't say “no electricity” it says “less electricity”. what I think is weird though is the fact that typical photoluminescence takes highfrequency photons (like UV or Gamma) and turns it into the visible spectrum. doing it with IR (meaning lower frequency and lower energy) wouldn't get it to the visible spectrum. my quantum mechanics isn't the best, so i might be wrong.
Chuck says
As others have mentioned, it violates thermodynamics.
Any passive process that can convert IR to visible will work the reverse way too. It will absorb visible from the environment and re-emit it as IR. Because there is no one-way passive process the fridge temperature will equilibrate to room temp.
Then of course, there is conducted heat. A liquid based gel is a great conductor of heat. It's the opposite of insulation. It will warm up your milk like no tomorrow.
This sounds like some marketing guy thought he could play engineer because he heard about infrared. It looks nice with pictures of food, just not real food.
Rob says
As stated in the second picture, this is NOT a fridge that requires no energy. It just does not need as much as the standard fridge you often see today.
Chuck says
Rob, did you read the text? The first paragraph says “cooling process does not require energy”. Then in the Key Benefits sections it says “The process of work does not require expenditure of energy for cooling products”.
Caddman says
“Cooling process does not require energy.” – I think that disregards your comment, sir.
yeebok says
Could be BS but like all good BS it's plausible. The bio nano robot stuff may have a very low temperature anyway.However at some stage, all the coolness in the gel would have to be used – so at some stage as others have said, an external source of energy should need to be used, potentially heat from other sources to consider, such as indirect heat from the sun. Either way the second law won't and can't be violated (2nd law is simply energy/mass can't be lost, only converted).Anyway I'm curious but meh.
Chuck says
Rob, did you read the text? The first paragraph says "cooling process does not require energy". Then in the Key Benefits sections it says "The process of work does not require expenditure of energy for cooling products".
yeebok says
Could be BS but like all good BS it's plausible. The bio nano robot stuff may have a very low temperature anyway.However at some stage, all the coolness in the gel would have to be used – so at some stage as others have said, an external source of energy should need to be used, potentially heat from other sources to consider, such as indirect heat from the sun. Either way the second law won't and can't be violated (2nd law is simply energy/mass can't be lost, only converted).Anyway I'm curious but meh.
Mimi says
You people are freaking me out. I have no idea what the hell you guys are arguing for. You're basically arguing about a fridge.
I just want to buy it if it comes out at Sears.
Yep says
..any of you ever noticed the text with 'By 2050.. bring new technology.. but in space'?
These 2 points you can get from this concept seem very genius:
1- A full fridge needs less energy on the long term. This fridge is ALWAYS full.
2- Using some kind of liquid-door/shield to reduce energy waste to almost zero everytime you're using the fridge. Compare that to opening the whole space e-ve-ry-time and letting out all the cold air which makes the fridge run..
These two points may be possible allready -regardless whichever law- so this could be a brilliant energy saving concept.
Jonci says
I refrigerate bananas. The exterior skin will brown, but the fruit stays longer.
Mimi says
You people are freaking me out. I have no idea what the hell you guys are arguing for. You're basically arguing about a fridge.
I just want to buy it if it comes out at Sears.
Yep says
..any of you ever noticed the text with 'By 2050.. bring new technology.. but in space'?
These 2 points you can get from this concept seem very genius:
1- A full fridge needs less energy on the long term. This fridge is ALWAYS full.
2- Using some kind of liquid-door/shield to reduce energy waste to almost zero everytime you're using the fridge. Compare that to opening the whole space e-ve-ry-time and letting out all the cold air which makes the fridge run..
These two points may be possible allready -regardless whichever law- so this could be a brilliant energy saving concept.
Jesse says
Gunnar,
while i agree,this all sounds really far fetched, i have a distinct distaste for the “know it all” way you state your facts without any sources. (a wiki to newton for example, would be an easy argument)
Intentions in cases like this are more about the ego boost to the poster, than anyone learning anything.
Also, please note there are many things in the natural world around us, (ants for example) that do not conform to the laws of physics at we know it, (i know that’s separate from energy, albert and newtons laws, but it’s in the same ball park)
your avatar makes me imagine you with a mustard stain on your shirt. Have fun convincing people on the internet your smart!
Mehmet says
If this theoretically would work – within the laws of thermodynamics -, I would be more concerned about, if this gel would contaminate my food and therefore I would eat also nano bio bots with my meals! How would this interfere with my health? I think this would be more important than all the discussion above! And also, like already stated by some others here, how could this gel kept clean?
From the design point of view I think it looks pretty cool!
GOD says
Short sweet and simple explination
NO ONE CARES!
There, argument over.
Lucifer says
I care.
Nstag8or says
A very kewl design, but nothing more than that. Ability to cool aside I find the concept of a gel infeasible. In two words, air pockets. When you remove your food item it will leave small air pockets behind which, I would assume, after time would add up and make both visibility of remaining food difficult as well as hinder cooling efforts. If you used a gel with a viscosity such that it would flow back together to remove the air pockets it most certainly would use that same ability to flow to invade the little nooks and crannies of your food items. Not sure I want bio nano bots in my food.
Lawl at u fag says
Lol your a faggot it’s a awesome idea. Your obs a rocket scientist. Stop playing wow in your moms basement and do something productive you hairy twat.
Mehmet says
If this theoretically would work – within the laws of thermodynamics -, I would be more concerned about, if this gel would contaminate my food and therefore I would eat also nano bio bots with my meals! How would this interfere with my health? I think this would be more important than all the discussion above! And also, like already stated by some others here, how could this gel kept clean?
From the design point of view I think it looks pretty cool!
GOD says
Short sweet and simple explination
NO ONE CARES!
There, argument over.
Lucifer says
I care.
WIGGITY says
It's a shame the designer doesn't know how to spell or use grammar properly, else he might have been able to escape with a smidgen of credibility. When I read, "the fewer foodstuff, the less space it need," I lost all interest.
Tyler says
Ambience has nothing to do with it… the gel absorbs the heat energy from the food, making the food cooler. Granted, that makes the gel warmer, but THAT is where the luminescence comes into play. The heat in the gel is converted to light and radiated off, thus cooling the gel and allowing it to absorb MORE heat from the food… if you aren’t an ignorant tard it’s actually easy to see that this is thermodynamically sound.
Jonathan Sheppard says
While I agree with others that this is basically Star Trek science, it should be noted that the design does state as being from 2050, so the designer does seem to be quite aware that this is currently science fiction. How much is science and how much fiction has been debated here at length, but it does seem like many commenters didn't notice that little detail (in the opening description- little hard to read against the green).
Nstag8or says
A very kewl design, but nothing more than that. Ability to cool aside I find the concept of a gel infeasible. In two words, air pockets. When you remove your food item it will leave small air pockets behind which, I would assume, after time would add up and make both visibility of remaining food difficult as well as hinder cooling efforts. If you used a gel with a viscosity such that it would flow back together to remove the air pockets it most certainly would use that same ability to flow to invade the little nooks and crannies of your food items. Not sure I want bio nano bots in my food.
Lawl at u fag says
Lol your a faggot it’s a awesome idea. Your obs a rocket scientist. Stop playing wow in your moms basement and do something productive you hairy twat.
WIGGITY says
It's a shame the designer doesn't know how to spell or use grammar properly, else he might have been able to escape with a smidgen of credibility. When I read, “the fewer foodstuff, the less space it need,” I lost all interest.
Melodie says
I am curious,… I understand the cooling does not require ‘additional’ energy, it uses the heat energy in the food but that is just to cool the food… what runs the little LED panel on the side?
Mel the Mad Muse
Jonathan Sheppard says
While I agree with others that this is basically Star Trek science, it should be noted that the design does state as being from 2050, so the designer does seem to be quite aware that this is currently science fiction. How much is science and how much fiction has been debated here at length, but it does seem like many commenters didn't notice that little detail (in the opening description- little hard to read against the green).
Melodie says
I am curious,… I understand the cooling does not require ‘additional’ energy, it uses the heat energy in the food but that is just to cool the food… what runs the little LED panel on the side?
Mel the Mad Muse
Florian Schommertz says
Hey – if you want cool milk. Train green bio nano cows!
However – I like the design!
Florian Schommertz says
Hey – if you want cool milk. Train green bio nano cows!
However – I like the design!
anon says
the picture shows bananas in the refrigerator. Chilling bananas will make them poisonous.
Matt says
Umm bananas do not turn poisonous but they do emit ethylene gas which rapidly ripens other fruit and vegetables, so in this concept it wouldn’t do any harm as they are encapsulated
anon says
the picture shows bananas in the refrigerator. Chilling bananas will make them poisonous.
Matt says
Umm bananas do not turn poisonous but they do emit ethylene gas which rapidly ripens other fruit and vegetables, so in this concept it wouldn’t do any harm as they are encapsulated
Braeden says
Besides all the physics and stuff this seems like a cool design… but two things:
1. how do you get the food out?
and 2. I don't know about anyone else but, safe or not, I don't think I would be very eager to eat food that's been sitting in green bioluminescent nano cooling goo for days… idk just my opinion
Braeden says
Besides all the physics and stuff this seems like a cool design… but two things:
1. how do you get the food out?
and 2. I don't know about anyone else but, safe or not, I don't think I would be very eager to eat food that's been sitting in green bioluminescent nano cooling goo for days… idk just my opinion
Hurr Durr says
This is a stupid design with a description that borders on being fraudulent.
As pointed out by others, anything that could automagically cause cooling that did not "require expenditure of energy" would immediately be harnessed to create a perpetual motion machine, infinite power supply or at least a window AC unit and not wasted on a green goo refrigerator.
Also, the design is stupid. Why would it waste space in your kitchen like an "ice box" from the 1920's? It could be a simple bin in your couter that you'd drop food into. Close the lid and the lid would be usable counter space. No, these guys designed a big green thing that will show fish corpses to everyone walking through the kitchen. Yum!
Also, has anyone mentioned to these marketing "design" geniuses that food is not made of solid pieces of plastic? Place 10 fish corpses in there and when the 10th one is removed, you can be sure fish bits and fish excretia would be on display in your green goo. Yum!
Hurr Durr says
This is a stupid design with a description that borders on being fraudulent.
As pointed out by others, anything that could automagically cause cooling that did not “require expenditure of energy” would immediately be harnessed to create a perpetual motion machine, infinite power supply or at least a window AC unit and not wasted on a green goo refrigerator.
Also, the design is stupid. Why would it waste space in your kitchen like an “ice box” from the 1920's? It could be a simple bin in your couter that you'd drop food into. Close the lid and the lid would be usable counter space. No, these guys designed a big green thing that will show fish corpses to everyone walking through the kitchen. Yum!
Also, has anyone mentioned to these marketing “design” geniuses that food is not made of solid pieces of plastic? Place 10 fish corpses in there and when the 10th one is removed, you can be sure fish bits and fish excretia would be on display in your green goo. Yum!
dinimuetter says
em i think they said it needs LESS energy …
dinimuetter says
em i think they said it needs LESS energy …
Sam says
Why don't people understand that it is converting the heat so that it doesn't even get to the food in the first place. If it absorbs all of the heat and turns it into another form of energy, there will be no heat, therefore cooling off the food. The issue I see with this is one of insulating everything, unless the technology is efficient enough to be working nonstop and absorb constant heat.
Sam says
Why don't people understand that it is converting the heat so that it doesn't even get to the food in the first place. If it absorbs all of the heat and turns it into another form of energy, there will be no heat, therefore cooling off the food. The issue I see with this is one of insulating everything, unless the technology is efficient enough to be working nonstop and absorb constant heat.
symball says
Jesse-
in what way do ants violate any laws of physics? it is a little cheeky to complain about a lack of sources and then drop a bomb like that without explanation
Takashi8188 says
What i want to know is, Is this thing large enough to store larger foodstuffs. i.e. a gallon of milk, a case of pop, large containers of leftovers after Thanksgiving? If it is large enough to hold items like this, I say bring on the change.
Takashi8188 says
What i want to know is, Is this thing large enough to store larger foodstuffs. i.e. a gallon of milk, a case of pop, large containers of leftovers after Thanksgiving? If it is large enough to hold items like this, I say bring on the change.
Paul says
This is a concept based on anti-Stokes luminescence, which has been demonstrated as a possible refrigeration process whereby light at a lower energy is absorbed and emitted at a higher energy. The energy taken from the material is heat, thus theoretically it can be used for refrigeration.
Gunnar, yes the second law states entropy must always increase, but ONLY in a closed system. In this case the energy comes from outside the system (the sun), so it is an open system.
Frayhex says
Don’t like it…impossible to hide corpses in it
Paul says
This is a concept based on anti-Stokes luminescence, which has been demonstrated as a possible refrigeration process whereby light at a lower energy is absorbed and emitted at a higher energy. The energy taken from the material is heat, thus theoretically it can be used for refrigeration.
Gunnar, yes the second law states entropy must always increase, but ONLY in a closed system. In this case the energy comes from outside the system (the sun), so it is an open system.
Frayhex says
Don’t like it…impossible to hide corpses in it
zach sigman says
wht you are not considering is that the “heat” being converted to energy is the chemical reaction of decomposising protiens. so in effect food that is rotting preserves itself
Dude says
How do you clean it?
Lera says
he cleans himself, robots ebte!
Dude says
How do you clean it?
Lera says
he cleans himself, robots ebte!
fasterthanu says
How much would it cost?
tom says
it works on the principle of biopolymer that helps to keep all the food items cool through luminescence. cooling comes from reduced thermal radiation. if anything the infrared radiation is just a thermometer to make sure all is well with the temperature, and the reaction is a green color on the gel, that being said, it at least needs batteries.
but ive never gone to school for any of this and i just found out about this refrigerator about 12 minutes ago. and this is what i got. any positive feedback on how it actually works would be great…and if my guess was at all accurate
fasterthanu says
How much would it cost?
tom says
it works on the principle of biopolymer that helps to keep all the food items cool through luminescence. cooling comes from reduced thermal radiation. if anything the infrared radiation is just a thermometer to make sure all is well with the temperature, and the reaction is a green color on the gel, that being said, it at least needs batteries.
but ive never gone to school for any of this and i just found out about this refrigerator about 12 minutes ago. and this is what i got. any positive feedback on how it actually works would be great…and if my guess was at all accurate
Mali says
Now, where can I buy this? ;D
Also, whoever made the… images… needs to proof-read it a little (though it's it's still just a prototype, I can understand that they haven't looked too closely over it)
And for heavens sake, write 'it doesn't run on ELECTRICITY' rather than energy, because that's what they really mean… (that way, they would have gotten less confused comments from less than intelligent people not making the connection (or trolls))
: B says
i think it's cool, but u can't get a turkey into that, it's too thin
Mali says
Now, where can I buy this? ;D
Also, whoever made the… images… needs to proof-read it a little (though it's it's still just a prototype, I can understand that they haven't looked too closely over it)
And for heavens sake, write 'it doesn't run on ELECTRICITY' rather than energy, because that's what they really mean… (that way, they would have gotten less confused comments from less than intelligent people not making the connection (or trolls))
: B says
i think it's cool, but u can't get a turkey into that, it's too thin
Sam says
I did some research on the webpage & found out that Biopolymer gel is widely used not only for aesthetic correction of the lips, but also for the reduction of wrinkles and scars. Effective reduction of nasolabial folds with biopolymer gel made this procedure one of the most popular methods of rejuvenation, while on the other hand bio-polymer is injected into human body to preserve their youthful looks, in this case i'm not too sure if we really need to replace the gel from time to time.
I think that the designer meant to design a food preservator rather than be called a refrigerator but it does bugs me why does the designer uses the word " Cool". It does makes me wonder if this is the designer first panels or perhaps the panels is being translated from other language.
Just a thought. : )
Sam says
The reason why it’s called a refrigerator doesn’t mean it needs to chill food or to keep it below ambient temperature.
I guess the designer designed this as a food preservator to be exact. Bio-polymer gel is widely used not only for aesthetic correction of the lips, but also for the reduction of wrinkles and scars. Effective reduction of nasolabial folds with biopolymer gel made this procedure one of the most popular methods of rejuvenation. ( Not too sure if it require any changing of gel, after all it is injected into your body ? )
I got this info while looking at websites on what is bio-polymer gel, but it does sounds off track as the designer uses the word “COOL”. I’m not sure if the designer uses the word “COOL” in his first language or original panels.
Correct me if i’m wrong.
Sam says
I did some research on the webpage & found out that Biopolymer gel is widely used not only for aesthetic correction of the lips, but also for the reduction of wrinkles and scars. Effective reduction of nasolabial folds with biopolymer gel made this procedure one of the most popular methods of rejuvenation, while on the other hand bio-polymer is injected into human body to preserve their youthful looks, in this case i'm not too sure if we really need to replace the gel from time to time.
I think that the designer meant to design a food preservator rather than be called a refrigerator but it does bugs me why does the designer uses the word ” Cool”. It does makes me wonder if this is the designer first panels or perhaps the panels is being translated from other language.
Just a thought. : )
Sam says
The reason why it’s called a refrigerator doesn’t mean it needs to chill food or to keep it below ambient temperature.
I guess the designer designed this as a food preservator to be exact. Bio-polymer gel is widely used not only for aesthetic correction of the lips, but also for the reduction of wrinkles and scars. Effective reduction of nasolabial folds with biopolymer gel made this procedure one of the most popular methods of rejuvenation. ( Not too sure if it require any changing of gel, after all it is injected into your body ? )
I got this info while looking at websites on what is bio-polymer gel, but it does sounds off track as the designer uses the word “COOL”. I’m not sure if the designer uses the word “COOL” in his first language or original panels.
Correct me if i’m wrong.
curious george says
what happens to milk, or leftover soup in a bowl…?
curious george says
what happens to milk, or leftover soup in a bowl…?
Hawk says
Everyone is arguing about the laws of thermodynamics, but skipping over the fact that this would require that we have the technology to manufacture thousands, or millions, of near-microscopic 'robots'.
Hawk says
Everyone is arguing about the laws of thermodynamics, but skipping over the fact that this would require that we have the technology to manufacture thousands, or millions, of near-microscopic 'robots'.
dmub kcuf says
You people are all uninformed – I will try to explain it in simple terms. I live in Africa becasue our interplenetary sensors indicated that it is the most sensible place on your planet to habitate. When we arrived from our planet that is 20 million light years from here, we noticed that you creatures are really lacking in intelligence. We brought a few items from our home and decided to give the idea for this fridge to Yanko to give to the people of earth. Now just open your minds, although we know that you are not yet ready for this kind of intelligence. We are allowing Yanko to popularise the idea before we let them make it work. Then you will see, I promise you it will be ok. You will eventually be ready for the technology of the future. That is, when you get to the future.
Gifted says
Are you kidding me! NO ONE IS THAT STUPID! -_-
sam says
You're absolutely correct! They are actually far less mentally complex than even thought possible!
Njju says
Umm.. if you are from "20 million light years from here" and are supposedly much more intelligent than "us creatures" how come you can't seem to learn how to form sentences with proper spelling and punctuation? Also, "being ready for the technology of the future when we get to the future" is a completely unnecessary rhetorical statement. As far as Africa being the most sensible place to 'habitate', I hope to god that was either sarcasm or that you never EVER have children.
dmub kcuf says
Hey Niju. Chill out buddy, get in the green fridge man. Have a sense of humour. Is your own intellect letting you down today? You shall be aware that I grew up as a child into adulthood in Africa. And I still live here, happily procreating and raising kids in the land of milk and honey. As for my eloquence, blame it on my varsity professors who gave me an MSc.
Ok. This fridge is pure science fiction, at least at this point in time. It is a great and creative graphic design though. But hey, maybe the laws of physics will be rewritten when the green men from Mars visit our planet and give us some green technology. Until then we’ll use our trustworthy LG appliances.
I live in sunny South Africa where we have temperatures +40 Centigrade on a very hot day. I’d love to mount this fridge on my car’s rooftop. Not only will I have free energy from the sun to cool my Merc but hey, I can even store my beer & meat in it.
I may even be able to chill out ole Niju some hey
Spock says
Can't you guys understand a joke?
dmub kcuf says
Thank you Mr Spock. For increasing the avarage IQ in the room.
dmub kcuf says
Uhm… Niju. Do you live in a trailer park?
dmub kcuf says
You people are all uninformed – I will try to explain it in simple terms. I live in Africa becasue our interplenetary sensors indicated that it is the most sensible place on your planet to habitate. When we arrived from our planet that is 20 million light years from here, we noticed that you creatures are really lacking in intelligence. We brought a few items from our home and decided to give the idea for this fridge to Yanko to give to the people of earth. Now just open your minds, although we know that you are not yet ready for this kind of intelligence. We are allowing Yanko to popularise the idea before we let them make it work. Then you will see, I promise you it will be ok. You will eventually be ready for the technology of the future. That is, when you get to the future.
Gifted says
Are you kidding me! NO ONE IS THAT STUPID! -_-
sam says
You're absolutely correct! They are actually far less mentally complex than even thought possible!
Njju says
Umm.. if you are from “20 million light years from here” and are supposedly much more intelligent than “us creatures” how come you can't seem to learn how to form sentences with proper spelling and punctuation? Also, “being ready for the technology of the future when we get to the future” is a completely unnecessary rhetorical statement. As far as Africa being the most sensible place to 'habitate', I hope to god that was either sarcasm or that you never EVER have children.
Spock says
Can't you guys understand a joke?
dmub kcuf says
Thank you Mr Spock. For increasing the avarage IQ in the room.
dmub kcuf says
Uhm… Niju. Do you live in a trailer park?
john says
Okay, your telling me that you were 20 million light years away. thats 1.173139*10^20 miles away. after all the math, since you cant travel faster then the speed of light, (because you cant travel in time that hasn't happened yet) there is no possible way you could have known about earth's before its existence in time to travel here and deliver information to humans about a refrigerator. even if you believed in the earth's existence billions of years ago, or 7000 years ago, you still wouldn't have known. the earth would have to be about 2 decillion years old in order for you to know about it. I'm a physicist. besides if your civilization allowed people to live to be a decillion, you would hit population problems real fast.
dmub kcuf says
Ahhh John. Your hypothesis is neat but is only a reality if your assumption about the maximum velocity of matter being relative to the speed of light holds true. After all, Einstein was a mere earthly mortal.
wsf says
where can i buy this
wsf says
where can i buy this
VITTORIO says
WHERE I MAY BUY THIS PRODUCT?
VITTORIO says
WHERE I MAY BUY THIS PRODUCT?
dmub kcuf says
Hey Niju. Chill out buddy, get in the green fridge man. Have a sense of humour. Is your own intellect letting you down today? You shall be aware that I grew up as a child into adulthood in Africa. And I still live here, happily procreating and raising kids in the land of milk and honey. As for my eloquence, blame it on my varsity professors who gave me an MSc.
Ok. This fridge is pure science fiction, at least at this point in time. It is a great and creative graphic design though. But hey, maybe the laws of physics will be rewritten when the green men from Mars visit our planet and give us some green technology. Until then weâll use our trustworthy LG appliances.
I live in sunny South Africa where we have temperatures +40 Centigrade on a very hot day. I’d love to mount this fridge on my car’s rooftop. Not only will I have free energy from the sun to cool my Merc but hey, I can even store my beer & meat in it.
I may even be able to chill out ole Niju some hey ï
rwhytb reqg says
i dont get it…
Casey says
But how do you CLEAN it.
Casey says
But how do you CLEAN it.
dan says
just try storing rice in it….
dan says
just try storing rice in it….
Wes says
Looks like you can finally see how fast you can throw your eggs into the frige without them breaking. I want a speed cam installed on mine.
john says
What happens when the sun goes down? Does it not fridge?
Viper says
OMG This is so cool…. make sure u make a mini version…. i can just see it hanging in my room with a bottle of Heineken in it !
Byn says
STOP PUTTING BANANAS IN THE FRIDGE!!! IT MAKES THEM TURN BROWN!!!
you have to be smarter than the bananas!
ddfg says
who cares about bananas and all the stuff in it. if you dont want to put bloody bananas in it then when you buy one DONT. this fridge is epic, so dont diss.
Technology<3 says
If any of you read the description the bio nano robots, then you'd know how this “future fridge” works. Read stuff before you rant and look stupid. (:
dmub kcuf says
Ahhh John. Your hypothesis is neat but is only a reality if your assumption about the maximum velocity of matter being relative to the speed of light holds true. After all, Einstein was a mere earthly mortal.
bob says
You all a bunch of nerds with nothing better to do than argue over a devise that is nothing but a concept !
bob says
You all a bunch of nerds with nothing better to do than argue over a devise that is nothing but a concept !
jeffy says
to cool something you subtract energy from the object,so since the object isn’t gaining any energy due to the uv light blockers no energy is added keeping temp down in the food.
Magia_San says
I apologise, but reading through all of these comments something inside snapped and I simply had to reply. Sorry for it being yours BUT…
‘Cooling process does not require energy’ Whilst this does imply no energyit in no way implies that the whole fridge doest not use energy. The fridge would use less energy, as they have stated, this just states that only the one aspect requires no extra energy. Which is more than possible, even using only ways of cooling that were available before the discovey of electricity, is completely possible. The other aspects or processes will need enegy, and this does not contradict what has been said.
Magia_San says
Nice, absolutely love the name by the way, but is it you or others?
Magia_San says
Actually, though I have been trying and trying and can’t remember his name. There was a guy who made a time machine and showed it to government, and he tested it on himself, being confident in it. And he stepped through and actually disappeared, to be unseen again, this much is true. Obvioulsly he may have completely obliterated himself, which is a more than popular belief, but there is a small possibility that he was tranported through time or space. Sure it is highly unlikely, but actually by my calculations, well okay not mine but I am in agreeance, there is a very small possibility that time/space travel IS possible. Even by Earthen knowledge. Although it may be a less than 0.01% possible, a small chance is still a chance. I should mention that this is something I have been working on quite heavily.
Off topic I know, and for that I apologise. But just leaving an opinion where I have one.
Dave says
You’re referring to Eienstein’s a theory of Relativitey. I’d hope you’d Benin agreance.
Ray says
Forget the law of thermodynamics — what about the law of gravity? All the food and goo would soon end up on the floor.
Anon says
Um… You all should know that the recent discovery of neutrinos being faster then light and being a particle at that. Make basically all you’re claims that ” its impossible ” simply wrong. Have a nice day, hope you rediscover innocence as i have.
Dave says
You’re not as smart as you think you are.
Anon says
You should know that the law of physics have recently been changed. Neutrinos are now the fastest thing in the universe that we know of not light. You may have a MSc. But by no means does that mean that your knowledge is absolute.
Anon says
Hey search neutrinos faster then light, then get back to me about you’re laws of nature ;D
Luna says
Hey!!!
If any of you had ever researched further than this page you would know that this was only a design for a competition & not based on reality. The competition was to redesign modern appliances FOR THE FUTURE!!!
Kobuko says
One possible breakthrough in technology and everyone who has taken a high school chemistry class thinks they’re an expert. I can see how this could possibly work thanks to the people that know enough about the scientific principles to somewhat explain it. If we as a race didn’t chase after ideas that were considered impossible by the majority, we wouldn’t have a lot of the luxuries that we have today. If this idea becomes a reality I will be among the first in line to buy one.
Kobuko says
well when you think about it, if it didn’t travel with the planets inertia during the “jump” even if he travelled a few seconds he would have re-materialized in space. still off topic but one more thing to consider as far as scientific advancements go. Thanks for the food for thought.
Jimmy C says
Hmm… I hope that stuff doesn’t melt in a power outage. Still, this is pretty creative. Good job!
whatevs says
dude just live with it
this is boss as
it works or doesnt
who cares!!!!!!!11
:) says
…how would you clean it? Neat idea,but nasty at the same time.
Jay Scott says
At the same time I can use this to convert lead into gold!! Great product!! Definite magic at work since it defies physics.
Paige says
What if I want to put a box of leftover pizza in it…
endercase says
Bro, heat is energy… simple… We just need to figure out how to transfer it into another form, it’s possible that some day your freezer may power your T.V. or your AC may power your replicator…. Right now we don’t have the tech (at least not in the public sector) but to say it’s impossible is like saying humans can’t go over 40 miles per hour.
Dcrvx2k says
To all the people that believe that this tech is real or ever will be, I have a car to sell you that gets a 1000 mpg.
Kim Martin says
Well my big question isn’t about the cooling but sanitation.
Containers leek, meat drips, and veggies liquify if left too long. No mater how good this fridge is at cooling it isn’t perfect, and things are going to get gross.
How will you clean it, or will it self clean somehow?
Joe Brunson says
If I bloody meat in it for instance… How is the gel supposed to be cleaned?
Stephanie says
So I have questions… Does it help keep food from spoiling as quick? What happens to the stuff if say the power went out? And finally do if I stick a can of soda/beer in there will the temperature be 40 degrees like I like it or some other not nearly as cold setting that I have no control over? Oh and what does the shiny green stuff taste like and is it harmful to be consumed? Also do I have to replace it? Guess I had a few more questions then I thought.
Wil says
What about cleaning? Veg has dirt on it. Put that in the gel and some of the dirt will come off. You will end up with a dirty gel. Not so nice. Other wise a fab idea.
anony says
Um… don’t you wash ur veggies before you put them in the fridge?
anony says
Um… don’t you wash ur veggies before you put them in the fridge? it seems gross not to.
Mark Twain says
I’m sorry, but nobody puts bananas in the refrigerator.
Yomama says
I love ice cold bananas….. What chemicals will leech into my food? What if a small child ate the gel?
Yomama says
I love ice cold bananas. What chemicals will leech into my food? What if a small child ate the gel?
Happy says
It looks cool. I don’t care if it works or not.
Lauren says
Yeah, fuck everyone who’s first language isn’t English, amirite? Moron.
endercase says
I assume the gel would be edible… seeing as it would be a Bio gel powered fridge… I don’t think there would be any harmful chemicals, but you might have to feed the fridge every now and again…
Shannon says
you guys are all idiots.
kara says
I could see my two year old picking all the green goo off little by little and finding it all over the house
Kulpepper says
How does one clean it. I have animals…will they eat the gel. And hairballs…will they stick to the gel. And kids…how will it be safe for kids…thinking this is not such a great idea…just sayin….
Guest says
Non-sticky gel
Guest says
The article points out that it is non-stick gel.
candip says
Wouldn’t the goo get yucky over time with bits of food? I don’t know if I’d want to put vegis or fruit in the same goo as raw meat either. Besides you’d still have to have a seperate freezer for ice or fridge for drinks. Just not practical to me…. maybe just a small one for fruits and vegis thats it.
justamom says
wow I feel like I stepped into an episode of Big Bnag Theory…and I’m Penny. It looks dumb…where does the Milk go? Dumb. Have fun being mean to each other over a stupid fridge.
Kelsey H. says
Where can Iget this? How much?
Dianna says
What are the safety concerns when applied to children putting their faces in the gel or a family pet???
Do the bio robots identify a living being inside the gel and set off an alarm?
Evan says
Biorobot? It just sounds like an anti-Stokes shifting medium to me. Although, that doesn’t preclude its exotic nature.. Or cost. Interesting idea.
Katie says
Am I the only one more concerned over the fact that someone put bananas in the fridge? Bananas go mushy and brown when stored in a cold environment; my sister and I put them in the freezer all the time to make them soft and easier to mix into banana bread. These bananas will go bad if the fridge really works…
Amanda says
Actually they didn’t put bananas in the fridge. None of the foods real, the very fist thing i noticed was that the fish is 2D as well s the pineapple. Having gone to culinary school it looks like they took a cut out of one of our product knowledge posters. I also believe that the hand is computer generated because if you hold an object and stick your hand in gel it would form in the shape of your fingers as well.
:( says
YOU TEASED ME!!!! I THOUGHT THIS THING EXISTED NOW BUT IT DOESN’T. I CAN’T WAIT TILL THIS COMES INTO EXISTENCE. I LIKE HEARING MYSELF TALK CAN YOU TELL?
Josh says
As someone who has studied thermodynamics at university I can tell you that the design does not “violate any laws of thermodynamics” as people are saying and certainly not the Second law as claimed. The second law deals with entropy of a closed system and as this system is converting waste heat energy into light and spewing this light out into the environment it most certainly isn’t closed. Indeed an implication of the second law allows for this principle to work.
In theory the physics behind this is perfectly sound (though I can’t speak for the nanotechnology, I have no idea in that regard)
Any questions, let me know…
maps.org says
It’s difficult to find experienced people in this particular subject, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Devilliers says
Should definitely get one cause we can’t find anything in our fridge now:-)
kevin says
Please for the frackin love of god at least learn proper English, and punctuation if ur gonna try to sound smart looks like a bunch of 3 year holds with mommy’s iPad got on here shit!!!!
jennifer says
Lol.
I do not believe “Gunna” is proper english. Also, You’re missing some punctuation and have it where it is not needed.
Tyler says
English should be capitalized.
Tyler says
English should be capitalized. Nobody likes a grammar Nazi.
Jay says
That’s so freakin cool
Hunter says
“Frackin” is not a word.
“God” should be capitalized, if you’re referring to the mythical spirit. If you’re not, then who?
God says
I am not a mythical spirit.
God says
I am not a mythical spirit. I’m as real as it gets.
Stevie says
I so want one! I bet it saves energy
Stevie says
I so want one! I bet it saves energy!
Angela says
I’m wondering about it being sanitary. If you are storing raw meats and fish, how can you be sure it’s not cross contaminating with raw fruits and vegetables? Also, I would be concerned about the gel that has been in contact with said raw meat. How can you safely disinfect that? I’m guessing you’d have to replace the gel at some point or use the bottom half for meats and fish and the top half for other groceries????? I still would be worried about salmonella, ecoli and other harmful bacteria!!!!! Not a good idea in my opinion.
Kasey says
You would still need tp wrap your things im plastic wrap, tin foil or tupperware.
Jay says
That is so cool take my money and I wonder how much it even is
Robyn says
What are you people the grammar police. If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say it at all.
Robyn says
What are you people the grammar police. If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say it at all.
happykiwi says
So I for some reason had a strange thought, what if someone put this above their bed and the power went out? What, will they wake up in a pile of goo?
This whole post makes me giggle
Trackbacks