Standalone and self-contained cooling systems using compressed liquid and/or gas CO.sub.2 containers positioned in an insulated or non-insulated vessel encompassing a container which is either vertically positioned in an upright or an upside-down position. The liquid and/or gas CO.sub.2 coolant is then released into a capillary system or flow metering system to allow the CO.sub.2 to enter a second body to where the CO.sub.2 coolant properties may be leveraged. The second body includes, by way of example, a plate, a cushion, a spot treatment pad for a person's muscle, or a cooler. The temperature is controlled by a metering CO.sub.2 releasing system encompassing an electronic control device which sends alerts when pre-defined thresholds are exceeded. The invention's metering CO.sub.2 releasing system may be triggered by an electronic or a thermostatic valve or may be triggered manually or by an electronic solenoid.

A solid-state passive evaporative cooling system includes a hydrogel body, a water supply channel, a hydrogel root, and a water supply device. One end of the water supply channel is embedded into the hydrogel body, and a plurality of water outlets are formed in an outer wall of the water supply channel embedded into the hydrogel body. A water inlet at the other end of the water supply channel is connected to the water supply device which is configured to pump an aqueous solution into the water supply channel. The hydrogel root is disposed within the water supply channel. The aqueous solution is solidified by the hydrogel body to achieve the water-saving effect. During evaporative cooling, an osmotic pressure may be spontaneously created or enhanced within the system. The water supply channel is capable of adjusting the water content of the hydrogel body and providing a water supply driving force.

A solid-state passive evaporative cooling system includes a hydrogel body, a water supply channel, a hydrogel root, and a water supply device. One end of the water supply channel is embedded into the hydrogel body, and a plurality of water outlets are formed in an outer wall of the water supply channel embedded into the hydrogel body. A water inlet at the other end of the water supply channel is connected to the water supply device which is configured to pump an aqueous solution into the water supply channel. The hydrogel root is disposed within the water supply channel. The aqueous solution is solidified by the hydrogel body to achieve the water-saving effect. During evaporative cooling, an osmotic pressure may be spontaneously created or enhanced within the system. The water supply channel is capable of adjusting the water content of the hydrogel body and providing a water supply driving force.

Provided is a cooling device including a valve structure including a temperature-responsive material that changes in volume in response to changes in temperature, a supporting structure, which is joined to the valve structure and supports the valve structure, and a solvent which contacts the valve structure, wherein a portion of the solvent contacts the valve structure and another portion of the solvent is externally exposed, the valve structure changes in volume in response to changes in temperature and thereby regulating the externally exposed surface area of the solvent.

Provided is a cooling device including a valve structure including a temperature-responsive material that changes in volume in response to changes in temperature, a supporting structure, which is joined to the valve structure and supports the valve structure, and a solvent which contacts the valve structure, wherein a portion of the solvent contacts the valve structure and another portion of the solvent is externally exposed, the valve structure changes in volume in response to changes in temperature and thereby regulating the externally exposed surface area of the solvent.

A cryostat assembly with an outer container for a storage tank (3) with a first cryogenic fluid and a coil tank (4) for a superconducting magnet coil system (5). The magnet coil system is cooled by a second cryogenic fluid colder than the first cryogenic fluid, the coil tank being mechanically connected to the outer container and/or to radiation shields (6) surrounding the coil tank via a mounting structure. Liquid helium at an operating temperature of approximately 4.2 K is the first cryogenic fluid and helium at an operating temperature of <3.5 K is the second cryogenic fluid in the coil tank. The mounting structure has mounting elements (7) with thermally conductive contact points (7a) thermally coupled to heat sinks having a temperature at or below that of the storage tank, via thermal conductor elements (8). This ensures long times to quench if malfunctions occur.

An evaporative cooling system may be employed in barns or other facilities that house animals to provide cooling and to reduce production loss. The control system for the evaporative cooling system may include circuitry designed to control pumping of water to a water storage facility used to supply water to evaporative cooling pads supply based on data received on inputs for controlling equipment and devices in the evaporative cooling system. The evaporative cooling control system may include a control circuit configured to determine whether or not evaporative cooling would be effective and operates pumps to supply water for the evaporative cooling system at times when that determination is positive and refrains from operating pumps when that determination is negative.

An evaporative cooling system may be employed in barns or other facilities that house animals to provide cooling and to reduce production loss. The control system for the evaporative cooling system may include circuitry designed to control pumping of water to a water storage facility used to supply water to evaporative cooling pads supply based on data received on inputs for controlling equipment and devices in the evaporative cooling system. The evaporative cooling control system may include a control circuit configured to determine whether or not evaporative cooling would be effective and operates pumps to supply water for the evaporative cooling system at times when that determination is positive and refrains from operating pumps when that determination is negative.

An automated, ultra-low temperature freezer having multiple structural features that reduce heat transfer into the freezer, protect its internal mechanical devices against low temperature mechanical binding of their movements, allow defrosting and autoclaving as a result of only minimal changes to the conventional CO.sub.2 emergency backup system. A group of freezers are arranged so they can simultaneously provide an HVAC function. A vial management system allows biological samples or vials to be automatically placed in and recovered from the freezer and associates the temperature history with each sample or vial that it was subjected to during its storage.

A refrigeration apparatus includes a container such as an evaporator for holding refrigerant, and a compressor for compressing refrigerant vapor. The compressed vapor is returned to the container, and stored as liquid. The liquid refrigerant is withdrawn from the container and then returned to the container via a first path through a heat exchanger for cooling a space, or a second path that does not pass through the heat exchanger. Upon returning to the container, the liquid refrigerant is at least partly evaporated due to the reduced pressure in the container caused by the operation of the compressor, and the container is cooled by the latent heat of evaporation. Thus, the container can act as a cold storage unit. The cold storage effect is increased when the refrigerant is returned to the container via the second path.