Right now, I'd say that is the $64M question! Who knows? Why don't you contact them and ask for a prototype!

- Cronin

doggyfox wrote
>
> Hello,
> I'm posting from Japan.
>
> What do you guys think of this thermionic refrigerator?
> http//www.coolchips.com/
> They may be able to realize this great chip PHYSICALLY
> but I don't think the chip can work with such great effeciency
> at room temperature.
> Does someone have any suggestion?
>
> Regards,
>
> doggyfox

Dear Sir,

In a paper written by the author Lynch in 1972, is explained the history of thermoelectrics and a paragraph is titled "THE THEORY ALWAYS SAID YES", with the meaning that every announcements without proved data and running prototypes is always supported from a sort of theory where everything is OK.

I think that also in the case of thermoionic refrigeration they will have a problem due to high thermal density with high thermal gradient very difficult to solve in terms of heat sink without special heat pipes or similar exchangers.

Regards, Enzo.

Thank you for the advices.
They even don't show their theory;-P

I really want to realize something saving the world.
I think innovation on cooling systems would be the one that the world needs.

Thanks,

doggyfox

Dear Sir,

I agree with your idea, but I advise that the refrigeration field based on compressor system is a powerful lobby against every new technology, and solid state cooling in particular.

Some months ago precisely on 06/08/02, I contacted Mr. Hammerling of ASHRAE organization with a lot of questions and, in particular I asked

.........At present solid state refrigeration field lives isolated from conventional refrigeration field, namely, with their small companies, with their associations, with their scientists and technicians and with their conferences and conventions why there is any possibility to join the experiences in the two fields in order to improve the development of the ecological solid state cooling?

His answer was

Mr. Picone,

Discussions of thermoelectric cooling and Peltier effect used to be included in the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals (1972). Since that time the topics have been removed. I am purely speculating that when the topic was removed it was perhaps too specialized for a very high priority within ASHRAE.

Steve Hammerling
Engineer, Research & Technical Services
ASHRAE
1791 Tullie Circle NE
Atlanta, GA 30329-2305
www.ashrae.org

Dear Vincenzo,

There is no real lobby, the problem is price and efficiency! If thermoelectric become as efficient as compressors this doenst mean they will subtitute them! A compressor costs $30, a thermoelectric device with same capacity cost more than U$100.... try to convince the appliance manufacturer that he should buy your environment wonderful, super efficient thermoelectric device. He will say "Ah ha and good by to you :)"

If there are governamental issues pressing eco systems (sometimes the thermoelectric systems are not so eco at all since their production is not eco :) than it might be possible...

Life is not so easy :)

sincerely,
Hannes

[quote="Vincenzo Picone"]Dear Sir,

I agree with your idea, but I advise that the refrigeration field based on compressor system is a powerful lobby against every new technology, and solid state cooling in particular.

Some months ago precisely on 06/08/02, I contacted Mr. Hammerling of ASHRAE organization with a lot of questions and, in particular I asked:

.........At present solid state refrigeration field lives isolated from conventional refrigeration field, namely, with their small companies, with their associations, with their scientists and technicians and with their conferences and conventions: why there is any possibility to join the experiences in the two fields in order to improve the development of the ecological solid state cooling?

His answer was:

Mr. Picone,

Discussions of thermoelectric cooling and Peltier effect used to be included in the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals (1972). Since that time the topics have been removed. I am purely speculating that when the topic was removed it was perhaps too specialized for a very high priority within ASHRAE.

Steve Hammerling
Engineer, Research & Technical Services
ASHRAE
1791 Tullie Circle NE
Atlanta, GA 30329-2305
www.ashrae.org[/quote]

This is a interesting approach for refrigeration industry, it makes me think of many developing possibilities considering low energy consume. As I read in that article, this concept can also be applied for larger devices such as household appliances. I am looking forward to see that happening.
Sears parts