This is the irony of the eco-world portrayed at its very best as we use the red hot sun to make ice as and when we need it. This is probably why we call the Sun as the ultimate source of energy. It pretty much can do everything- from melting huge glaciers to now creating ice with its heat energy. Of course, it is not without a little helping hand from science and the creative brilliance of some folk at San Jose State University, but that is something we would gladly take any day.

This zero-emission solar powered icemaker is not just a revolution because of the touch of irony that it brings in but it paves way for future technology that could provide emission-free cooling solutions. In simple terms, all refrigerators and even air conditioners could very well be solar powered very soon and at an affordable price. Considering how the air conditioning part of home devices consumes tons of energy across the planet, this is indeed a welcome change.

It works like this: the solar icemaker uses a refrigerant liquid that evaporates when exposed to the sun. The vapor travels through pipes that come into contact an absorbent material, which cools when the sun goes down. Once the slow-cooling absorbent hits 104°F, the refrigerant turns back into a liquid and its temperature drops like a rock to below freezing because of pressure differences. Now water exposed to these vapors turns instantly to ice. The icemaker makes about 14 pounds of ice per day and that should be pretty much enough for you to have pet Penguins!

Via: Dvice