World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Alloy stabiliser advances magnetic cooling

GERMANY: Magnetic cooling company Magnotherm claims a significant advancement in the technology by protecting magnetocaloric alloys from corrosion and mechanical fracture.

Lanthanum-iron-silicon alloys are commercially available and considered within the caloric materials family as one of the most promising alternatives to gas compression cooling. However, they are also prone to corrosion and fracture. 

Preventing the degradation of magnetocaloric alloys during use is seen as pivotal to ensure reliable and maintenance-friendly device operation. 

Darmstadt–based Magnotherm has now shown that application-ready magnetocaloric alloys can be fully protected against corrosion and mechanical fracture during extended in-device operation solely relying on water as environmentally benign and efficient heat exchange medium. 

This has been achieved by combining Magnotherm’s proprietary copper coating with a tailored corrosion inhibitor mixture. This is said to have resulted in mechanical fracture, functional losses and corrosion being “near completely” suppressed during continuous use over three months. 

In a statement the company said: “Initial demonstration of stable operation means that this highly performative material, known for its brittleness and corrosivity in water, has taken a major leap in magnetocaloric materials science from promising theory to successful practical application. This represents a significant step in paving the way for the broad commercial application of magnetocaloric cooling systems, which are safe, low-maintenance, and refrigerant free.”

Latest News

10th February 2025

Carrier expands apprenticeship programme

UK: Carrier is building on the launch of its academy in Bracknell last year, and the appointment of an apprenticeship programme lead, by recruiting at least 17 apprentices this year.
10th February 2025

HPA publishes heat pump service checklist

UK: The Heat Pump Association (HPA) has introduced a guidance list of recommended minimum annual service checks for air-, ground- and water-source heat pumps. 
9th February 2025

Samsung stars at the Junction

UK: Samsung has delivered state of the art heating and cooling to a new bar, restaurant, cafe, and social workspace within Manchester Central, the city’s convention centre. 
9th February 2025

Loop offers heating and cooling retrofit option

UK: Panasonic has introduced its Aquarea Loop, a decentralised water-to-air heat pump designed for optimal energy efficiency that was first revealed at Chillventa last year.
9th February 2025

Scammer turns illegal refrigerant into water

POLAND: A warning issued by the police in Poland has exposed the level of ignorance of refrigerants and the F-gas regulations that exists in some European member states.
9th February 2025

More space available at HRS show

UK: Having previously raised the sold out signs for its forthcoming exhibition, the Hampshire Refrigeration Society (HRS) has now announced the availability of extra space.