Imagine a fridge that doesn't use any chemical gases or noisy compressors to stay cold. Instead, it uses special magnetic materials that change temperature when they rotate in a magnetic field. It's like using a magnetic switch to create a breeze of cold air, making it safer and greener for moving medicine.
Vaccine waste exceeds 50% due to poor temperature control, while current cooling systems rely on hazardous gases and unstable power grids in remote areas.
An experimental solid-state cooling prototype using Rotating Magnetocaloric Effect (RMCE) and advanced magnetic materials.
If you are a transport provider dealing with strict aerial safety rules regarding refrigerant gases — this project developed a solid-state cooling device that removes the need for hazardous gases. This allows for safer air transport of vaccines while maintaining the required 2-8 °C range.
If you are a distributor dealing with unreliable electricity in last-mile deliveries — this project developed a magnetic refrigerator that is more energy-efficient and reliable. It ensures vaccines stay within 2-8 °C without needing heavy, power-hungry compressors.
If you are a manufacturer dealing with the EU F-gas phase-down and decarbonization goals — this project developed a Rotating Magnetocaloric Effect system. This technology replaces high-global-warming-potential refrigerants with a clean, solid-state alternative.
By using the Rotating Magnetocaloric Effect, the project expects to drastically cut production costs by reducing the amount of permanent magnets required.
The project is currently focused on building and validating an experimental prototype. Based on available project data, it is in the development phase rather than full industrial scale.
The project is based on a technology that was patent pending as of 2023 by the project partners.
Yes, it is designed to align with the EU Green Deal and F-gas phase-down by eliminating greenhouse-gas refrigerants.
The project period runs from 2024-10-01 to 2028-09-30.
The consortium is heavily research-driven with 5 universities and 1 research institute, balanced by 2 industrial partners (MagREEsource and Helium 3). This 25% industry ratio suggests a strong academic foundation for material science, while the inclusion of an advisory board featuring global leaders like WHO and UNICEF ensures the technical development is aligned with actual market needs in the vaccine cold chain.
Contact Universidade do Porto regarding the RMCE prototype development.
Contact us to connect with the MAGCCINE consortium for licensing discussions.
