According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus comprising: one or more portions of material configured to vibrate at one or more ultrasonic frequencies when the material is positioned within a varying magnetic field; and wherein the one or more portions of material configured to vibrate at one or more ultrasonic frequencies are positioned so that, when a varying magnetic field is applied to the apparatus, the vibration caused by the varying magnetic field provides increased cooling within a cooling system.

A method for forming a stabilized bed of magneto-caloric material is provided. The method includes aligning magneto-caloric particles within the casing while a magnetic field is applied to the magneto-caloric particles and then fixing positions of the magneto-caloric particles within the casing. A related stabilized bed of magneto-caloric material is also provided.

A novel temperature regulating food conveying container system for holding hot and cold food in close proximity is provided. In preferred embodiments, the system generally includes a plurality of stacked, concentric, and annular levels with decreasing diameters. The levels are configured with a plurality of food serving containers each with a corresponding temperature regulating unit. One or more motors may be configured to rotate the individual levels. One or more light elements may be positioned at various locations on and around the levels. In further preferred embodiments, a control switch is configured to control the temperature of each individual temperature unit.

A novel temperature regulating food conveying container system for holding hot and cold food in close proximity is provided. In preferred embodiments, the system generally includes a plurality of stacked, concentric, and annular levels with decreasing diameters. The levels are configured with a plurality of food serving containers each with a corresponding temperature regulating unit. One or more motors may be configured to rotate the individual levels. One or more light elements may be positioned at various locations on and around the levels. In further preferred embodiments, a control switch is configured to control the temperature of each individual temperature unit.

A heat pump system is provided that uses MCM to provide for heating or cooling. The heat pump can include one or more stages of MCM, each stage having an original peak Curie temperature. In the event the magneto caloric response of one or more stages of MCM degrades, the present invention provides for operating the heat pump system so that one or more stages of MCM are held at a different temperature from the original peak Curie temperature so as to restore the MCM to its original peak Curie temperature or to within a certain interval thereof. The present invention can be used with e.g., an appliance, air-conditioning systems (heating or cooling), or other devices using such a heat pump system as well.

A heat pump system is provided that uses MCM to provide for heating or cooling. The heat pump can include one or more stages of MCM, each stage having an original peak Curie temperature. In the event the magneto caloric response of one or more stages of MCM degrades, the present invention provides for operating the heat pump system so that one or more stages of MCM are held at a different temperature from the original peak Curie temperature so as to restore the MCM to its original peak Curie temperature or to within a certain interval thereof. The present invention can be used with e.g., an appliance, air-conditioning systems (heating or cooling), or other devices using such a heat pump system as well.

A magnetocaloric heat generator having an assembly of at least two magnetocaloric modules with a heat transfer fluid flowing through them. The cold ends of the modules are in fluidic communication via a cold transfer circuit and the hot ends are in fluidic communication via a hot transfer circuit. The cold transfer circuit is arranged so that the fluid exiting the cold end of one of the magnetocaloric modules with an exit temperature enters the cold end of the other magnetocaloric module with an entry temperature that is substantially equal to the temperature of the cold end. The hot transfer circuit modifies the temperature of the fluid so that the fluid exiting the hot end of one of the magnetocaloric modules with an exit temperature enters the hot end of the other magnetocaloric module with an entry temperature that is substantially equal to the temperature of the hot end.

A magnetocaloric heat generator having an assembly of at least two magnetocaloric modules with a heat transfer fluid flowing through them. The cold ends of the modules are in fluidic communication via a cold transfer circuit and the hot ends are in fluidic communication via a hot transfer circuit. The cold transfer circuit is arranged so that the fluid exiting the cold end of one of the magnetocaloric modules with an exit temperature enters the cold end of the other magnetocaloric module with an entry temperature that is substantially equal to the temperature of the cold end. The hot transfer circuit modifies the temperature of the fluid so that the fluid exiting the hot end of one of the magnetocaloric modules with an exit temperature enters the hot end of the other magnetocaloric module with an entry temperature that is substantially equal to the temperature of the hot end.

The first and second media are coupled via evanescent waves generated by surface phonon polaritons thermally excited on surfaces of the first and second media. First and second media made of the same material are disposed with a gap formed between for cutting off thermal conduction and the heat transfer between them is performed via the thermally excited evanescent waves. A third medium is provided on a surface of the first medium on a side toward the second medium. Heat flux flows from the second medium to the first medium in a first state wherein the second medium has a first temperature T.sub.H and the first medium has a second temperature T.sub.L lower than the T.sub.H differ in intensity from heat flux which flows from the first to the second medium in a second state wherein the first medium has the T.sub.H and the second medium has the T.sub.L.

The first and second media are coupled via evanescent waves generated by surface phonon polaritons thermally excited on surfaces of the first and second media. First and second media made of the same material are disposed with a gap formed between for cutting off thermal conduction and the heat transfer between them is performed via the thermally excited evanescent waves. A third medium is provided on a surface of the first medium on a side toward the second medium. Heat flux flows from the second medium to the first medium in a first state wherein the second medium has a first temperature T.sub.H and the first medium has a second temperature T.sub.L lower than the T.sub.H differ in intensity from heat flux which flows from the first to the second medium in a second state wherein the first medium has the T.sub.H and the second medium has the T.sub.L.