Upwards of 40% of food produced in developing countries is wasted due to lack of electricity and poor refrigeration. With that in mind, four University of Calgary students have invented a fridge that doesn’t require electricity to run. Inspired by the way animals cool themselves, the machine uses a funnel catch air brought through a pipe immersed in fluid to cool the air inside. That air is then moved to a below ground refrigeration chamber to chill the food, similar to how a meerkat burrows into the ground to avoid heat. The inexpensive fridge recently won an international competition that seeks solutions to sustainability problems, and could potentially help reduce food waste in developing countries.
Students invent fridge that runs without electricity
More of Today's Solutions
This Canadian didn’t want to fly from Germany to Canada—so he took a cargo ship
When Will Vibert’s European work visa was closing in on its expiration date, the Canadian was reluctant to travel back to Vancouver via plane. ...
Read MoreSimple movement is connected to better brain health in older adults
It goes without saying that practicing regular exercise offers plentiful benefits for our overall health, but as we age, engaging in the same exercise ...
Read MorePassive cooling techniques reduce AC strain by up to 80 percent
In the summer months, many of us are of two minds: we’re dying to keep it cool, but we’re also dying not to spend ...
Read MoreMaking windows bird-friendly: a crash course on protecting our feathered friends
In 1990, Michael Mesure was on the way to a wildlife rehabilitation center. Among his passengers was a common yellowthroat, a colorful warbler that ...
Read More
