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Thermoacoustic Cooler Means Green-Friendly Icecream
MuddyRiverDoc writes "National Public Radio aired a story describing ice cream
manufacturer Ben & Jerry's sponsored
development of a thermoacoustic refrigeration technology, which uses helium gas
subjected to ultra-loud 173 db sound to chill an ice cream cooler. The NPR interview and
pictures of the Penn State researchers who did the development is
available. There is also a brief description of the technique at the Penn State Live site and at the BBC, and an
over-cute Ben & Jerry's broadband presentation, Sounds Cool!, that
does however provide a useful diagram. Thermoacoustic refrigeration has been a focus of research
for more than a decade at Purdue
and elsewhere,
and has reportedly flown on the Space Shuttle, but this prototype is reportedly
the first that demonstrates the size, efficiency, and quiet operation that
promises successful commercial introduction. Cool Sound Industries,
Inc. is reportedly exclusively licensed for this thermoacoustic technology."
So does this mean that noisy, drunken parties will be cooler than quiet, staid cocktail parties?
Great minds think alike; fools seldom differ.
Now I can buy that new kick-ass sound system without worrying about that new fridge my wife has been hounding me about and not feel guilty!
It's hard enough to remember my opinions, never mind the reasons for them..
Ever see people driving down the street with their radio so loud their car buzzes. They're pretty cool right?
It also explains why I yell at those morons to "Chill out!", they just turn the volume up even louder.
What's your damage, Heather?
"Yo B, turn that sh*t down..."
"Naw man, it's cool...just makin' ice cream"
"Word"
Wise men say, "Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza."
So they've taken "We all scream for ice cream!" literally?
173dB is quiet? Was your previous job in the PR department of a CPU fan manufacturer?
"'I pass the test,' she said. 'I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.'"
- JRR Tolkien.
- How eco-friendly is the helium extraction process? Off the top of my head I believe it's fine, but are there any hidden eco-hostile effects in its production? Probably still far better than the method it replaces.
- Have they experimented with different sound sources for the 173dB? Playing Barry White could produce seriousness smoothness...
- Will they equip the Refrigerator Gnome that controls the internal light with OSHA-approved protective headphones, or will a generation of the little critters be doomed to deafness? (Don't laugh, I saw one of them in my 'fridge once after a Dead concert.)