Engineers 'cook' promising new heat-harvesting nanomaterials in microwave oven
29.09.11
Harvesting energy from waste heat requires a material that is good at conducting tension but poor at conducting heat. One of the most promising candidates for this job is zinc oxide, a nontoxic, cheap material with a high melting point . While nanoengineering techniques obtain for boosting the electrical conductivity of zinc oxide, the materialistics high thermal conductivity is a roadblock to its effectiveness in collecting and converting assassinate heat. Because thermal and electrical conductivity are related properties, its very profound to decrease one without also diminishing the other.
However, a team of researchers led by Ganpati Ramanath, professor in the Materials Branch and Engineering Department at Rensselaer, in collaboration with the University of Wollongong, Australia, have demonstrated a new way to dwindling zinc oxides thermal conductivity without reducing its electrical conductivity. The modernization involves adding minute amounts of aluminum to zinc oxide, and processing the materials in a microwave oven. The activity is adapted from a technique invented at Rensselaer by Ramanath, graduate pupil Rutvik Mehta, and Theo Borca-Tasciuc, associate professor in the Hinge on of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering (MANE). This employment could open the door to new technologies for harvesting waste stir and creating highly energy efficient cars, aircraft, power plants, and other systems.
Source: PhysOrg.com
Frigidaire heats up with a toaster oven
28.09.11
The immediateness in which a toaster oven can provide a hot meal rivals that of a microwave oven. Considering that toaster ovens are much more competent than microwave ovens, the countertop appliance may even have an edge in the convenience hang on. And it browns food, too, adding flavor where the microwave cannot.
The Frigidaire FPCO06D7MS Mavin Convection Toaster Oven offers a quick-cooking alternative for fast and easy meal-making. Featuring four heating elements (two quartz and two halogen), the countertop appliance gives users sway over how they prepare meals. An infrared heating feature allows for unrestrained preheating and a reduction for overall cooking time, while a convection fan provides even heating.
All the well-known features consumers have come to expect from well-designed countertop toaster ovens are these days: bake, broil, toast, reheat, and warm. Additionally, specialized cooking modes cover settings for pizza, bagels, and even cookies. A large LCD put
Source: CNET (blog)