Towards the Magnetic Fridge

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered a material that gives a whole new complexion to the term fridge magnet. When this alloy is placed in a magnetic field, it gets colder. Karl Sandeman and his co-workers think that their material — a blend of cobalt, manganese, silicon and germanium — could help to usher in a new type of refrigerator that is up to 40 percent more energy-efficient than conventional models