What is MagnoTherm?
MagnoTherm is shaking up the cooling industry by ditching traditional refrigerants and introducing magnetic cooling technology. This innovative approach uses magnetocaloric metals, magnets, and water to create cooling systems that are not just effective but also environmentally friendly. Founded in 2019 as a spin-off from the Functional Materials group at Technische Universität Darmstadt, led by Prof. Oliver Gutfleisch, MagnoTherm is a young company with world-leading expertise in permanent magnets and magnetic cooling. Their technology replaces the standard gas compression cycle with a magnetic refrigeration cycle, promising to revolutionize how temperatures are managed across various applications.
Main Benefits of MagnoTherm’s Technology
MagnoTherm’s magnetic cooling technology offers several standout advantages:
- Safe: By replacing refrigerant gases with magnetically activated materials, the technology is inherently safe—no explosivity, no toxicity.
- Low-Maintenance: Operating an oil-free cooling cycle at less than 1 bar pressure and excluding refrigerants means it falls outside EN378 regulations, so no certified professionals are needed for servicing.
- Sustainable: Zero refrigerants equals zero direct global warming potential (GWP). Plus, their cradle-to-cradle philosophy and engineering optimization create a robust system designed for the circular economy.
- Efficient: Magnetic forces generate no waste thermal energy. By balancing forces in a rotational sequence, the system recovers work and boosts cycle efficiency by up to 30% compared to alternatives.
The Problem with Traditional Cooling
Cooling technology has been stuck in the same groove for over a century—slow technical progress and heavy reliance on harmful refrigerants have led to industry complacency. These refrigerants are not only energy-hungry but also contribute significantly to global warming. The core problems have been largely ignored, but now, alternatives like magnetic cooling are stepping up. They’re reaching maturity and finally taking a seat at the table, ready to challenge the status quo.
How Magnetic Cooling Works
Magnetic cooling is based on the magnetocaloric effect, a phenomenon where certain metals heat up when magnetized and cool down when the magnetic field is removed. MagnoTherm harnesses this effect using solid-state materials and water, creating a cycle that replaces the conventional gas compression method. This means no harmful gases, less energy consumption, and a more sustainable approach to cooling. It’s a cutting-edge idea that’s scalable—from household refrigerators to cooling entire buildings and server farms.
Origins and Expertise Behind MagnoTherm
MagnoTherm’s roots lie in the Functional Materials group at Technische Universität Darmstadt, a hub of world-leading research on permanent magnets and magnetic cooling. The company was officially founded in 2019, building on years of academic expertise and innovation. This strong foundation allows MagnoTherm to push the boundaries of what’s possible in cooling technology, combining scientific rigor with practical engineering to create next-generation solutions.
Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – by improving energy efficiency in cooling systems.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – through pioneering new cooling technologies.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – enabling greener building cooling solutions.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – via cradle-to-cradle design and circular economy principles.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – by eliminating refrigerants with high global warming potential.
The Future of Cooling with MagnoTherm
MagnoTherm is not just about creating a new product; it’s about transforming an entire industry. With their magnetic refrigeration cycle, they’re paving the way for cooling solutions that are safer, cleaner, and more efficient. As the technology scales up, expect to see it in everything from everyday fridges to massive data centers. The era of energy-hungry, toxic refrigerants is coming to an end—MagnoTherm’s magnetic cooling is here to cool things down, sustainably and smartly.
