Conference Session C12

Paper #142

Disclaimer—This paper partially fulfills a writing requirement for first year (freshman) engineering students at the
University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering. This paper is a student, not a professional, paper. This paper is
based on publicly available information and may not provide complete analyses of all relevant data. If this paper is used for
any purpose other than these authors’ partial fulfillment of a writing requirement for first year (freshman) engineering
students at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, the user does so at his or her own risk.

THE MAGNETOCALORIC EFFECT AND ITS APPLICATION IN

SUSTAINABLE REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS
Trent Greener, tag67@pitt.edu, Mena 1:00pm, Sofia Leav, skl20@pitt.edu, Mahboobin 10:00am

ABSTRACT- This paper explores the use of the
magnetocaloric effect in the development of commercial
refrigeration in order to create more cost effective and
energy efficient sustainable systems. It initially emphasizes
the environmental problems with traditional refrigeration
systems, explaining that refrigeration accounts for 17% of
global electrical consumption. Then, it explains how recent
developments in magnetocaloric technologies provide a
solution to these issues. After that, it provides a detailed look
into the technology itself, starting with an explanation of the
magnetocaloric effect, then discussing how this technology is
applied to create sustainable refrigeration, and finally a look
at the commercialization of magnetic refrigeration systems.
These sections focus on both the technology and the steps
being taken by companies to make this product a reality. This
paper continues by identifying the economic and
environmental considerations that make magnetic
refrigeration a sustainable solution, specifically long term
energy savings and the elimination of harmful refrigerant
gases. It then discusses the ethics surrounding this
technology, since it is new and still in development, using the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers code of
ethics to explain why the benefits of magnetic refrigeration
outweigh the risks. The paper concludes with a brief excerpt
about what obstacles are to be overcome and how the
technology looks towards the future.
Key Words- Commercialization, Ecofriendly, Efficient,
Magnetocaloric, Refrigerant-Free, Sustainable
AN INTRODUCTION TO
MAGNETOCALORIC TECHNOLOGY
Among the fields of engineering, sustainable development
has become a large focus as climate change and carbon
emissions both become more pressing issues. As modern
technologies improve, so does the need for sustainability,
which is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as
creating and maintaining the conditions under which humans
and the natural world can exist in productive harmony to
support present and future generations [1]. Creating
sustainable solutions is a challenge modern engineers are
faced with.
One challenge that engineers currently face within the
realm of sustainability is refrigeration. Although it is an issue
that goes unnoticed by most people, traditional refrigeration
systems are harmful to the environment. It is predicted that
by the year 2030 refrigeration and air conditioning will
account for 13% of carbon gas emissions [2]. Carbon gasses
contribute to the greenhouse effect, which is a leading cause
of global warming. In short, traditional refrigeration is not
sustainable and change is necessary. In addition to household
refrigerators, refrigeration is used in food retail markets,
refrigerated transport, medical storage, and numerous
industrial processes. For example, in chemical plants and
refineries, refrigeration is vital for certain chemical storage
and processing [3]. So, while the world relies on traditional
refrigeration systems to keep things cold, they are doing so at
a cost.
As refrigeration becomes an urgent problem in
consideration to global warming and carbon emissions,
engineers are looking to alternative methods of refrigeration
that show much more promise than traditional styles of
cooling. One of these methods that is being currently
researched into is magnetocaloric refrigeration. As opposed
to typical refrigerators that use harmful chemical refrigerant
agents, magnetocaloric refrigeration utilizes the application
and removal of a magnetic field in order to change the
temperatures of specific materials with magnetocaloric
properties in order to achieve a desired cooling effect.
As seen in figure 1, traditional refrigeration systems rely
on refrigerant gasses to flow through the system. The warm
gas is compressed in the compressor which increases the
pressure, causing it flow up through the condenser coils. Here
the gas is cooled by the relatively cool temperature of the
kitchen, causing it to liquefy. Now in liquid form at high
pressure, the refrigerant flows through the evaporator coils,
absorbing the heat from the fridge/freezer, cooling it down.
The liquid then evaporates into a gas, travelling back to the
compressor [4].

University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering 1

Submission Date 03.03. 2017
Greener
Leav
Figure 1 [4]
Basic Layout of a Traditional Refrigerator
The diagram shows the typical components and layout of a
refrigerator and helps to add to our description of how it
works in the text above.
This process is a potential innovation in the refrigeration
field that could possibly provide a substantial improvement
over the many shortcomings of current refrigerators.
Through this research, it will become apparent that
magnetocaloric refrigeration proves to be an important
consideration to a problem that affects society.
THE INDUSTRIAL PROCESS
Technology Behind the Magnetocaloric Effect
The magnetocaloric effect is a thermodynamically
reversible process that converts magnetic energy to thermal
energy. The basic idea is that by applying an external
magnetic field to the existing magnetic refrigerants, energy is
converted to thermal energy [5]. This concept is not new;
scientists as early as 1917 observed the thermal properties
exhibited by a specific group of materials when exposed to a
magnetic field. They began to learn more about this
phenomenon, noticing that these materials, known as
ferromagnetic materials, lose their magnetic properties when
heated above a certain temperature, known as the Curie
temperature. In 1917 the term “magnetocaloric” was coined,
after two scientists discovered a reversible heating of a nickel
sample when heated to near its Curie temperature. The
sample increased temperature by 0.7 K when a magnetic
field was applied [3]. The materials that exhibit these unique
properties are now called magnetocaloric materials. These
materials exhibit a heating effect when magnetized, and a
cooling effect when demagnetized due to the magnetic-
entropy change under the application of an external magnetic
field [6]. Magnetocaloric materials are not rare, but some do
behave differently than others. The characterization of
magnetocaloric materials is crucial for understanding
potential applications.
2
Magnetocaloric materials can be divided into two groups
based on the order of this phase transition. A phase transition
occurs when ferromagnetic materials are heated to their
Curie temperature, and at temperatures above that point the
material becomes paramagnetic. The magnetocaloric effect is
most noticeable during this phase transition. Entropy change,
adiabatic temperature and specific heat are the three
characteristics that correspond to the strength of a
magnetocaloric material. The effect of these on different
order magnetocaloric materials can be seen in figure 2.
First-order phase transition magnetic materials have a
drastic entropy change only at a certain value of magnetic
field, while the entropy change of a second-order material
increases with a larger magnetic field. Both types of phase
transitions increase their adiabatic temperature with an
increasing magnetic field, however the peak is broader in
second-order materials. The specific heat of second-order
materials is sharply peaked in low magnetic fields without
any significant shift in peak temperature.
Figure 2 [7]
1st Order vs. 2nd Order Materials
The graphs show the difference between second and first
order magnetocaloric materials via magnetization (a and b)
and specific heat (c and d)
However, as seen in figure 2, in first-order materials the
specific heat significantly changes peak temperature in larger
magnetic fields without changing the peak values
drastically. Other characteristics of materials such as the
temperature range and hysteresis are also linked to the phase
transition order. Second-order phase transitions often occur
over a wider temperature range, making them easier to utilize
in applications. Minimizing the hysteresis of a material
during phase transition can help to increase efficiency of a
regeneration cycle. Both the thermal and magnetic hysteresis
caused by heating/cooling and alternating magnetic fields
respectively, contribute to a lower efficiency. This hysteresis
is typically associated with first-order magnetic materials.
Magnetocaloric materials which undergo the magnetocaloric
effect are not altered in any way except for the magnetic and
thermal properties. This reversibility shows potential for uses
Greener
Leav
in the creation of sustainable engine-like cycles. The
phenomenon of magnetocaloric materials has been known for
over a century, and now recent research into the details of
how they behave is allowing engineers to understand how to
maximize the effect for potential applications.
Utilizing the Design
An active magnetic regeneration (AMR) cycle is the key
link between the magnetocaloric effect and magnetic
refrigeration. This cycle utilizes the reversibility of the
magnetocaloric effect to create a temperature change in a
sustainable way. A basic AMR cycle can be seen in figure 3.
Figure 3 [8]
Basic AMR Cycles
This shows the layout of a basic AMR cycle.
The cycle is created by increasing and decreasing the
magnetic field, or changing the direction of temperature flow.
The refrigerant in the cycle is a porous bed of the
magnetocaloric material and the regenerator for the heat
transfer fluid. The cycle begins in a steady state condition
with the hot side at 24 degrees celsius and the cold side at 5
degrees celsius. The bed is initially magnetized which causes
the magnetocaloric refrigerant to heat up due to the
magnetocaloric effect. Then the fluid flows across the heated
bed, warming the fluid and cooling the bed due to Newton’s
law of cooling, and exits at a temperature close to the 24
degree hot side. The magnetic field is then removed, cooling
the bed by the magnetocaloric effect. The cycle is complete
by having the 24 degree fluid flow from the hot to cold side
of the bed, being cooled by the cold bed and emerging at a
temperature around 5 degrees. This created a continuously
cold side and a continuously hot side of the bed, allowing for
applications of this temperature difference [7].
The first AMR applications were relatively inefficient,
with large magnetic fields necessary for a 5 degree change in
temperature, and required operation at temperatures around 1
K. It was not until 1997 when Gerald Brown, a contributor to
the Journal of Applied Physics, created a continuously
operating AMR cycle that operated at room temperature
3
using the magnetocaloric material gadolinium [9]. The
discovery of gadolinium (Gd) as a magnetocaloric material
was a major breakthrough in the application of the
magnetocaloric effect in commercial magnetic refrigeration
systems. gadolinium is a second-order phase transition
magnetic material which has a near room temperature Curie
temperature of 293 K [3]. The discovery of this material has
allowed for developments into the application of the
reversible, sustainable, process that is the magnetocaloric
effect. The cycle he created also displayed that the
temperature change created by the system can be much
greater than the maximum magnetocaloric effect [9]. So with
Gd used as the magnetocaloric bed in the AMR cycle, the
sustainable process of magnetic refrigeration began to be
viewed as a potential solution to harmful traditional
refrigeration systems.
Gadolinium is not the only magnetocaloric material with
potential applications in magnetic refrigeration. Current
research shows that other alloys, or several layered
magnetocaloric materials could have the potential to be just
as, if not more efficient.
Commercialization and Consumer Product Development
Several companies including General Electric (GE) and
Cooltech are in the process of developing magnetic
refrigeration devices since the issues with traditional
refrigeration are becoming harder to overlook [10]. The
benefits of potential applications of the magnetocaloric effect
in refrigeration are so substantial that the magnetic
refrigeration market is expected to double every year,
reaching over 300 million by 2022 [11]. GE recently
announced plans to launch magnetic refrigerators for the
general consumer by 2020, and Cooltech has already
launched their unique Magnetic Refrigeration System for
commercial use.
Cooltech Applications is currently the world leader in
magnetic refrigeration technology. This French company has
been working to develop commercial magnetic refrigeration
systems and are farther along in their product development
than competitors. Their products use an advanced type of
active magnetic regeneration cycle to create a temperature
gradient without the use of harmful refrigerant gases.
Cooltech understands that for a significant reduction of the
carbon emissions due to traditional refrigeration systems,
magnetic refrigeration has to become a viable option in more
than just the consumer market. The specific design of their
system allows it to have a wide range of applications, making
it an ideal option for consumers and the commercial market.
Their unique small-form technology has a flexible design
and can be adapted to be used in almost any type of
refrigeration, but was developed for mostly medical
refrigeration, wine cellars, professional refrigeration and
plug-in displays. The Cooltech magnetic refrigeration system
relies on the same fundamental concepts of the
Greener
Leav
magnetocaloric effect and strongly resembles the active
magnetic regeneration [2].
The system uses gadolinium as the magnetocaloric
material and glycol water as a heat transfer fluid. A heat
transfer fluid is necessary to facilitate heat transfer between
the cold and hot sources, and glycol water is an
environmentally friendly option [2]. The system itself uses
Figure 4 [2]
Cooltech’s Design
This is the basic design of Cooltech’s rotary magnetic
refrigeration system.
rotating magnets to magnetize/demagnetize magnetocaloric
materials to create a temperature gradient. The rotary system
is the only thing which requires power and the
magnetocaloric effect is reversible and does not weaken over
time, so aside from the small amount of electric power
required, the system is almost entirely sustainable. This
allows the Cooltech Magnetic Refrigeration system to create
a temperature span of 25 degrees celsius while only using 400
W of power while a tradition refrigerator uses up to 750 W
[2].
Cooltech has successfully implemented their designs, and
are now focused on bringing their technology to commercial
and consumer markets. The adaptability of their magnetic
refrigeration system allows for specific custom
developments. Since Cooltech is a company focused only on
magnetic refrigeration, they have a team of several project
managers who are focused specifically on co-development
and integration products. If a company wants to work with
Cooltech to replace their traditional refrigeration with a
magnetic system, Cooltech has the resources to create a
specific development that will work with the company’s
specific needs. Cooltech is able to work with the company all
the way through the development of the product, including
the design of a supply chain and mass production system for
the specific product needed [2]. Cooltech is not the only
company developing magnetic refrigeration systems, but
because of their unique, small-scale, adaptable rotary
4
magnetic refrigeration system and the resources they have to
offer, they are the most promising at this point in time.
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
One of the main concerns and drawbacks about magnetic
refrigeration is that it is a very niche product. Since this
technology is so new, there is no streamlined manufacturing
process like there is for traditional refrigeration. Magnetic
refrigeration faces its biggest challenge through its initial
price point, leaving it inaccessible to a majority of
consumers. This means that “even though some products
have come to market, there are still challenges that need to
be addressed before there is large-scale deployment of the
technology. The main issue is the supply of magnetocaloric
materials, which are scarce. Reducing the material content,
or identifying new materials, would increase viability” [11].
Although the actual cost of electricity for magnetic
refrigeration may be less expensive than traditional methods,
there is still a barrier to be overcome because the initial cost
of magnetic refrigeration proves to be much higher.
The development of this technology resembles the way
that solar panels and general solar technology have
advanced. In the past ten years, solar panels have become
immensely cheaper and more readily available to the public.
Solar panels were initially considered unattainable by the
average consumer, but now they can be commonly integrated
into homes and everyday devices due to the further research
and standardized modes of manufacturing [12]. If magnetic
refrigeration can be further researched and developed as a
technology, then it poses a future model that incites growth
and lower production costs. This will make it more readily
available to a larger population and thus, extending its
effectiveness as a means of promoting of eco and cost
friendly technology by eliminating excess energy on a larger
scale.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
No Use of Refrigerant Gases
One of the main aspects for why magnetocaloric
refrigerations appeals as an alternative to traditional methods
of refrigeration is due to the lack of refrigerant gasses.
Refrigerant gases are used in typical current refrigerators and
although they are effective, they have many shortcomings
that are apparent in their effects to the environment and
public safety. Although there has been improvement in the
use of each respective refrigerant, each one has a negative
tradeoff. Halons, chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC), have the benefits of being
nonflammable and nontoxic, making them good choices as
refrigerants, but their stability in the atmosphere and their
corresponding global warming potential and ozone depletion
potential raise concern about their usage. Although other
Greener
Leav
types of refrigerants may be non-ozone depleting, many have
global warming potentials that are thousands of times greater
than carbon dioxide. Some other refrigerants such as propane
and ammonia are not inert, and are flammable or toxic if
released [2]. Regardless of the refrigerant chosen, each one
has its own consequence. Although refrigerants are currently
an integral part of modern refrigeration, the removal of
refrigerants as necessities would net in numerous positive
effects, and this is one of the main reasons that
magnetocaloric refrigeration is being considered as an option
for a replacement. Magnetocaloric technology has no need
for any refrigerants, posing itself to be an improvement upon
current methods of refrigeration and an example of a
technology that promotes eco-friendliness and public safety.
Reduced Energy Usage
Beyond the absence of refrigerants, magnetocaloric
refrigeration also proves to be a further possible innovation in
an ecofriendly sense because it results in lower energy
dissipation levels than typical means of refrigeration. This is
because “magnetic cooling requires a low level of
maintenance (low rotational speed, low pressure, no leaks and
no hazardous chemicals…)” [2] which in turn lowers the
operational cost for the user. As a result of these lower power
requirements, the energy savings can be up to 50% in
comparison to current refrigerators, which is a drastic
reduction in savings. Typical refrigerators have to be supplied
with enough energy to run multiple mechanisms at high
frequencies, such as evaporator fans, evaporator coils,
compressors, compressor fans, and condenser coils. These
components require a larger sum of energy and have higher
operational costs than magnetic systems. Basic AMR
systems, and cooltech’s design as seen in figure 4, rely on
fewer components. The cooltech system uses a few rotating
plates and rods of magnetocaloric materials. Due to the
simple design of magnetocaloric refrigerators, there is an
elimination of excess energy usage, allowing the technology
to be both an innovative design and one that lacks complex
components.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
When referencing a potential engineering breakthrough, it
is very important to reference a code of ethics in order to
ensure that the technology being produced is beneficial to the
general public and results in a positive contribution to
society. In order to accomplish this, the ethical codes
produced by the National Society of Professional Engineers
should be indexed and considered, as well as the code
developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers because the manufacturing and distribution of
magnetocaloric technology is primarily within their area of
focus. When checking both lists of ethics, magnetocaloric
refrigeration proves that it abides by the requirements put in
place by engineers to ensure that suitable beneficial
5
technology is brought forward to the public. Upon further
research into magnetic refrigeration and a cross-checking
with the code of ethics of the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers, it is important that potential
consequences are considered in order to further improve upon
an understanding of the technology [13].
One concern among the public may be that the refrigerator
may output strong magnetic fields that could cause harm to
the user or disrupt other appliances, but based upon
Cooltech’s conduction of research, “measurements were
performed on all MRS types and results showed magnetic
emissions that surrounded Cooltech’s devices (10cm) were
far lower than the ones from a little promotional fridge
magnet” [2]. Therefore, there is no glaring concern about
public safety that is associated with magnetocaloric
technology, and by abiding by the other fundamental ethical
codes that engineers hold themselves to, magnetocaloric
technology proves that it can be further explored as a solution
in order to innovate in ways that would create beneficial
results to both the general society and the environment.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Critical Issues
There are apparent issues in the construction and
manufacturing of magnetocaloric parts due to the scarcity of
the basic materials. One of the largest drawbacks in magnetic
refrigeration being accessible to everyone is the reliance on
gadolinium. Gadolinium is relatively rare, and the use of it as
the magnetocaloric material in most magnetic refrigeration
systems is a big reason why the starting price of magnetic
refrigeration systems is so high [3]. Without the high price of
gadolinium, the return on investment for magnetic
refrigeration systems would be much lower [11]. Although
gadolinium was once seen as the optimal, and only, option for
applications of the magnetocaloric effect, recent studies have
shown that there may be other materials that could work just
as well, or even better [3].
One proposed solution is through the layering of several
magnetocaloric materials. With a certain composition, the
hysteresis of the phase-transition could be minimized beyond
that of gadolinium, allowing for a more efficient AMR cycle.
The layering of several magnetocaloric materials, such as a
gadolinium layered with manganese could provide a cheaper,
and possibly more efficient application of the magnetocaloric
effect [3]. Also by changing the magnetocaloric material, the
Curie temperature can be altered.
Future Developments
There stands to be a promising future in the efficiency of
these devices as there is being further research conducted
about magnetocaloric materials. Magnetocaloric materials
have been studied since 1917, the effects the exhibit are well
understood, but there are new ways to apply these concepts to
Greener
Leav
create more efficient magnetic refrigeration systems or
revolutionary new technologies.
One of the main appeals behind magnetocaloric materials
is that they have the capabilities to display both cooling and
heating properties. This could mean that after success in the
development of magnetic cooling devices, companies may
begin to look into the magnetocaloric effect as a way to
sustainably create heat. Cooltech is once again at the
forefront of this potential by experimenting with the idea of a
heat pump as a second phase beyond magnetocaloric
refrigeration [2]. This idea could stem from their success in
producing their desired results from magnetocaloric
technology and applying it to the other scale of the spectrum
to find out the limits that belong to magnetocaloric
technology. Although the potential of a magnetic heat pump
system is exciting, the environmental challenges of cooling
are much more detrimental than those of heating. The
reduction of any energy usage is beneficial, and Cooltech as
well as other companies developing applications for
breakthroughs utilizing the magnetocaloric effect are taking
steps in the right direction.
CONCLUSION
There is a problem with traditional refrigeration that is
becoming harder to ignore. Currently, these systems are
harmful to the environment, but continue to be used since our
society heavily relies on refrigeration to function. The
magnetocaloric effect is a drastic improvement upon this
problem. By looking into the details of the industrial process,
including the science behind the effect and how it lends itself
to an application in magnetic refrigeration systems, it is clear
that there is significant potential in the technology.
Cooltech has shown that the magnetocaloric effect can be
successfully applied to technologies, and then developed into
viable products available to consumers and the commercial
market. As engineers, there is the possibility to further
improve and research into this technology as a means of
solving a problem that can benefit future and current
generations. It is apparent that magnetocaloric materials have
the potential to achieve a desired result and may possibly act
as an alternative or replacement to traditional methods of
refrigeration. The technology is more efficient than
traditional refrigeration in regards to operating costs, eco-
friendliness, and public safety. Although there are still
inherent problems with the manufacturing process as a result
of a lack of substantial research, there has been enough
progress to emphasize that this has the potential to help solve
a worldwide problem. Magnetic refrigeration stands alone as
a testament to modern development in regards to
sustainability and the potential available within
magnetocaloric materials.
SOURCES
6
[1] “Learn About Sustainability.” United States
Environmental Protection Agency. 10.18.2016. Accessed
3.25.2017. https://www.epa.gov/sustainability/learn-about-
sustainability#what
[2] “The Magnetic Refrigeration System.” Cooltech
Applications. 2016. Accessed 10.25.2016.
http://www.cooltech-applications.com/magnetic-
refrigeration-system.html.
[3] A. Kitanovski, J. Tusek, U. Tomc, U. Plaznik, M. Ozbolt,
A. Poredos. “Chapter 2: Magnetocaloric Materials for
Freezing, Cooling and Heat-Pump Applications.” Springer.
2015. Accessed 10.26.2016.
[4] “How Does a Fridge Work?” Institute of Refrigeration.
2016. Accessed 2.34.2017.
https://www.fantasticfridges.com/YoungLearners/Howdoesa
FridgeWork
[5] A.T. Saito, T. Kobayashi, S. Kaji, J. Li, H. Nakagome.
“Environmentally Friendly Magnetic Refrigeration
Technology Using Ferromagnetic Gd Alloys.” International
Journal of Environmental Science and Development. Vol. 7.
No. 5. May 2016. Accessed 02.09.2017.
http://search.proquest.com/openview/ed9bd232b701b237103
2b4f288c6ca42/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2027401
[6] Z. Xu, J. Guo, G. Lin, J. Chen, “Optimal thermoeconomic
performance of an irreversible regenerative ferromagnetic
Ericsson refrigeration cycle”, Journal of Magnetism and
Magnetic Materials, vol. 409, pp. 71, 2016. Accessed
02.07.2017.
tp://ieeexplore.ieee.org.pitt.idm.oclc.org/document/7029213/
[7] V K. Pecharsky, K A. Gschneidner Jr. “Magnetocaloric
effect and magnetic refrigeration.” Journal of Magnetism and
Magnetic Materials, vol. 200, pp. 44-56, 10/1999. Accessed
03.02.2017
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030488539
9003972
[8] “What’s So Attractive About Magnetic Refrigeration?”
CIBSE Journal. 01.2016. Accessed 3.28.2017.
http://www.cibsejournal.com/technical/the-appeal-of-
magnetic-refrigeration/
[9] W A. Steyert. “Stirling-cycle rotating magnetic
refrigerators and heat engines for use near room
temperature.” Journal of Applied Physics, August 2008.
Accessed 3.01.2017
http://rt4rf9qn2y.scholar.serialssolutions.com/?sid=google&a
uinit=WA&aulast=Steyert&atitle=Stirling%E2%80%90cycle
+rotating+magnetic+refrigerators+and+heat+engines+for+us
e+near+room+temperature&id=doi:10.1063/1.325009&title=
Journal+of+applied+physics&volume=49&issue=3&date=19
78&spage=1216&issn=0021-8979
[10] S. Anthony. “GE develops high-tech fridge magnets that
could save the world billions of dollars in energy costs.”
Extreme Tech. 02.11.2014. Accessed 02.09.2017.
https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/176393-ge-develops-
high-tech-fridge-magnets-that-could-save-the-world-billions-
of-dollars-in-energy-costs
Greener
Leav

[11] Y. Yiu. “From Fridge Magnets to Magnetic Fridges.”

Inside Science. 09.20.2016. Accessed 02.09.2017.
https://www.insidescience.org/news/fridge-magnets-
magnetic-fridges
[12] Katie Fehrenbacher. “Solar is Going to Get Ridiculously
Cheap.” Time Inc. 06.12.2016. Accessed 3.26.2017.
http://fortune.com/2016/06/13/solar-to-get-crazy-cheap/
[13] “IEEE Code of Ethics.” Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers. IEEE Policies, Section 7. 2017.
Accessed 02.09.2017.
http://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/governance/p7-8.html

ADDITIONAL SOURCES
F. Beltran Lopez, M. Sazatornil, E. Palacios, R. Burriel.
“Application of simulations to thermodynamic properties of
materials for magnetic refrigeration.” Journal of Thermal
Analysis and Calorimetry. August 2016. Vol 125. Issue 2. Pp
579-583. Accessed 02.07.2017.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10973-016-5268-
2?no-access=true
“Significant New Alternatives Policy- Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning.” United States Environmental Protection
Agency. 2014. Accessed 01.27.2017
https://www.epa.gov/snap/refrigeration-and-air-conditioning.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to acknowledge Ryan Gabrin, Matt
Lombardo, Brian Walsh, James Hennessy, Emily Luther,
Sean Kilcullen, Katelyn Benson, and Allie Vogt for helping
with the structure and sequence of our paper. Also, we would
like to acknowledge our advisor Michelle Banas for helping
us keep on track and focus in on our paper.