Magnetic refrigerator gets down and homey

Household fridges and magnets have long had a surface relationship. Now, they may be warming up–actually, cooling off–to a more intimate involvement. Researchers have unveiled a new cooling system that chills by means of magnets, operates at room temperature, and can fit inside home appliances.

Rotating ring (center), roughly the diameter of a compact disk, cycles powdered magnetic material in and out of a gap in the powerful magnet at rear.