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This one's a weird one, kids, but still cool. A new concept for a zero-energy refrigerator uses an odor-free, gel-like substance to cool and preserve food items.
The Bio Robot Refrigerator was designed by Yuriy Dmitriev and is currently a semifinalist in Electrolux's Design Lab competition. The Bio Robot has no motor, compressor or other electrical components, but it does contain a green biopolymer gel that uses luminescence to preserve food.
To store food, you press the item into the gel, which then envelopes it, creating a "separate capsule" for each product.
The designer highlights its benefits as being: zero-energy and silent operation, four times smaller than a traditional fridge, but maximized storage space and the absence of doors allows horizontal or vertical placement and displays food in plain view.
I'm not sure how you'd go about cleaning this refrigerator, or how it'd handle storing, say, a pot of soup, but any zero-energy concept is OK by me.
via EcoFriend
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Comments (43)
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written by Bryan, June 16, 2010
I am sure there are downsides, but seriously I could see every college student living in a dorm owning one of these. If not just to own it.
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written by Peter, June 17, 2010
Zero Energy sounds like a scam. There are no zero energy cooling systems.
As well, I don't find the idea of storing my food in luminescent snot attractive.
As well, I don't find the idea of storing my food in luminescent snot attractive.
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written by Jakesy, June 17, 2010
I think this would be more likely as something you'd find in a field hospital or maybe within the bowels of a vending machine.
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written by Doc, June 17, 2010
Well, considering this design competition is for items NINETY YEARS in the future, and shares entries with a "Teleportation Refrigerator"... there is no semblence of current technology that makes these actually WORK. They're all just pipe-dreams for the next century. Kind of like jetpacks and hovercars were proposed for 2010... 
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written by professsional photo editing, June 17, 2010
A great idea, I hear there are still tons of refrigerators with CFC in circulation and the sooner those are disposed of the better!
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written by Jeff, June 17, 2010
Following the link from blog to blog until you get to the original source can be fun!
Ecogeek got the story from ecofriend, who cites inhabitat, a site that is well known to be about artsy fantasy concepts, not real products. Inhabitat cites DVICE. DVICE cites YANKO DESIGN. YANKO DESIGN directly cites the Electrolux Design Lab site.
The answer to how it works is that it uses magical microscopic robots to cool each item to a different temperature and to hold its shape even when hanging from the ceiling.
Ecogeek got the story from ecofriend, who cites inhabitat, a site that is well known to be about artsy fantasy concepts, not real products. Inhabitat cites DVICE. DVICE cites YANKO DESIGN. YANKO DESIGN directly cites the Electrolux Design Lab site.
The answer to how it works is that it uses magical microscopic robots to cool each item to a different temperature and to hold its shape even when hanging from the ceiling.
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written by Gringo, June 17, 2010
Luminescence to preserve food?? hmmm... The competition should have a Sci-Fi products category that should be different than a category for products that actually could exist within 5 years...or 25 years.
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written by Mark, June 18, 2010
Forget about Zero Energy (which is a ridiculous claim to make), let us think instead of why this site publishes such garbage without so much as a disclaimer that it is a fantasy.
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written by hyperspaced, June 18, 2010
The law of bacteria growth as well as the 2nd thermodynamic law are weeping.
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written by Fr. Peter, June 18, 2010
The Warp Drive has a fault and the Wicked Witch of the West has spirited away Mr. Spock.
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written by Arnoud, June 19, 2010
Megan, you say you like anything zero-energy - you must like our new solar hot water system: it doesn't use electricity (not even PV). We launched last our "revolution in solar hot water" last Monday (with press release) - but somehow ecogeek didn't pick it up. Curious how it works (and this one sure does!) - have a look at the Sunnovations website!
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written by Moon, June 21, 2010
but maybe it doesn't COOL the food. Maybe it just retards bacteria and mold growth by surrounding the food with this luminescent goo??
How do they keep all the heavy food from sinking to the bottom of this thing, leaving a pile of food there?
How do they keep all the heavy food from sinking to the bottom of this thing, leaving a pile of food there?
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written by Paul, June 23, 2010
Come on who really belives this! Does this gel have a power source? Maybe they could modifie it to cool our homes too!
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written by Luis, June 23, 2010
Clearly none of you understand why refrigerators do what they do, which is basic primary school science.
The point of the 'fridge is to slow the growth of bacteria and such by keeping the growth area cold. The same effect cane be done by canning, salting or storing food in cool areas like cellars.
This gel creates a seal that keeps as much air out as possible, and the product itself is likely heat dampening or a combination of chemicals that causes a cooling effect. This, plus the seal, plus the luminescence (which likely kills bacteria, or at least retards growth) is what keeps your food fresher for longer.
The point of the 'fridge is to slow the growth of bacteria and such by keeping the growth area cold. The same effect cane be done by canning, salting or storing food in cool areas like cellars.
This gel creates a seal that keeps as much air out as possible, and the product itself is likely heat dampening or a combination of chemicals that causes a cooling effect. This, plus the seal, plus the luminescence (which likely kills bacteria, or at least retards growth) is what keeps your food fresher for longer.
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written by Karen, June 24, 2010
It's so hot outside, I'd like to have a bathtub full of that stuff right now just to wallow in it.
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written by Carol, June 27, 2010
After replacing, for the second time in 4 years, the poorly designed door handle on our conventional refrigerator, which takes up 5% of our kitchen, I'd be happy to consider any alternative that did not shrink my ice cubes, grow black mold under its supposedly watertight sealed shelves and actually kept the fresh vegetables edible for more than a week.
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written by nice, July 20, 2010
Our only practical hope is nuclear fusion, otherwise humans are doomed. In fact, it doesn't really matter if humans vanish from the planet, it is only our anthropocentric thinking which causes us to think we are special. Given enough time (which is something that Earth has plenty of) another sentient species will probably evolve. It really doesn't even matter if another sentient species doesn't re-evolve on Earth since there are innumerable other planetary systems in the universe.
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written by maryraikkonensz, July 20, 2010
This innovation is so cooool, i mean, in respect of design, however, i' m just wondering is it practical in use? If i put the fruit in it, say apples, then does it ensure that there is no toxic substances that will do harm to my health?
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written by sam, July 28, 2010
luminescent snot. teehee!
if it works, im buying one.
looks brilliant.
does it come with luminescant orange snot or does it have to be green?
x+x-x
if it works, im buying one.
looks brilliant.
does it come with luminescant orange snot or does it have to be green?
x+x-x
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written by Miki, July 29, 2010
to: nice,
I hope when our eventual demise comes either another species does not evolve to our standards OR if one does its not nearly as destructive as us. This is probably impossible though, as if it has evolved so far as to dominate the planet as we have, it most likely would need to be destructrive to have gotten that far? Perhaps.
anyway, back on subject here, how does the substance not ooze all over the floor? Or would we need to replace the bits that come out when we reach in to grab our food item? and would it be toxic? Would we need to wash our food (thoroughly) after storing and before eating it?
I think those are the main questions. Of course other people have asked them already, so nevermind.
I hope when our eventual demise comes either another species does not evolve to our standards OR if one does its not nearly as destructive as us. This is probably impossible though, as if it has evolved so far as to dominate the planet as we have, it most likely would need to be destructrive to have gotten that far? Perhaps.
anyway, back on subject here, how does the substance not ooze all over the floor? Or would we need to replace the bits that come out when we reach in to grab our food item? and would it be toxic? Would we need to wash our food (thoroughly) after storing and before eating it?
I think those are the main questions. Of course other people have asked them already, so nevermind.
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written by lace wigs, July 09, 2011
I am sure there are downsides, but seriously I could see every college student living in a dorm owning one of these. If not just to own it.
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written by gas grills, August 23, 2011
I love the concept of this fridge and I think that it would work well with bottles of water of even sodas but I don't think that it would work well with many foods or a picture of tea but I think I would buy one if the price is right.
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written by gas grills, August 23, 2011
Now that this thing is created it is time for someone to create some containers to put your food in to stay secure in this baby.
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written by Übersetzer, September 13, 2011
I hope when our eventual demise comes either another species does not evolve to our standards OR if one does its not nearly as destructive as us. This is probably impossible though, as if it has evolved so far as to dominate the planet as we have, it most likely would need to be destructrive to have gotten that far? Perhaps.
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written by Translation, September 13, 2011
I am sure there are downsides, but seriously I could see every college student living in a dorm owning one of these. If not just to own it
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written by Übersetzung, September 14, 2011
I hope when our eventual demise comes either another species does not evolve to our standards OR if one does its not nearly as destructive as us. This is probably impossible though, as if it has evolved so far as to dominate the planet as we have, it most likely would need to be destructrive to have gotten that far? Perhaps
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written by Übersetzung Englisch Deutsch, October 31, 2011
I don't think that it would work well with many foods or a picture of tea but I think I would buy one if the price is right.
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written by Natursteinpflaster, November 01, 2011
The point of the 'fridge is to slow the growth of bacteria and such by keeping the growth area cold. The same effect cane be done by canning, salting or storing food in cool areas like cellars. This gel creates a seal that keeps as much air out as possible, and the product itself is likely heat dampening or a combination of chemicals that causes a cooling effect. This, plus the seal, plus the luminescence (which likely kills bacteria, or at least retards growth) is what keeps your food fresher for longer.
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written by Hebergeur d'image, November 11, 2011
but maybe it doesn't COOL the food. Maybe it just retards bacteria and mold growth by surrounding the food with this luminescent goo??
How do they keep all the heavy food from sinking to the bottom of this thing, leaving a pile of food there?
How do they keep all the heavy food from sinking to the bottom of this thing, leaving a pile of food there?
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written by Sandra, November 20, 2011
Our only practical hope is nuclear fusion, otherwise humans are doomed. In fact, it doesn't really matter if humans vanish from the planet, it is only our anthropocentric thinking which causes us to think we are special. Given enough time (which is something that Earth has plenty of) another sentient species will probably evolve. It really doesn't even matter if another sentient species doesn't re-evolve on Earth since there are innumerable other planetary systems in the universe.
Aspirateur Industriel
Aspirateur Industriel
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written by Ideas for Christmas Decorations, November 21, 2011
I think that it would work well with bottles of water of even sodas but I don't think that it would work well with many foods or a picture of tea but I think I would buy one if the price is right
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written by Heizung, November 23, 2011
The idea is ingenious. No more energy consumption for refrigeration. We will keep our food fresh with zero pollution and for free.
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written by Gametwist online, November 23, 2011
I wouldnt trust those fridges if I had kaviar to cool
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written by Blog Commenting Service, December 06, 2011
Our only practical hope is nuclear fusion, otherwise humans are doomed. In fact, it doesn't really matter if humans vanish from the planet, it is only our anthropocentric thinking which causes us to think we are special. Blog Commenting Services
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written by Flores, January 29, 2012
Hope to have this refrigerator in the market soon!
Florerias Uruguay
Florerias Uruguay
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written by Terry, January 30, 2012
How do you get ice cubes without energy of some kind? And furthermore, how long does it take for you to get CANCER after eating food that has been stored in the "GOO" frig? Seriously?
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written by Fugenmörtel, January 31, 2012
I am sure there are downsides, but seriously I could see every college student living in a dorm owning one of these. If not just to own it
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written by Asbestentsorgun, February 28, 2012
This gel creates a seal that keeps as much air out as possible, and the product itself is likely heat dampening or a combination of chemicals that causes a cooling effect.
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written by Asbestentsorgun, February 28, 2012
This is one of the best blogs in the field of education. If I don't come in for a couple of days, there are so many posts that it'll consider me a couple of hrs just to go through whatever I missed!! Kudos.
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written by LKW Spiele, April 08, 2012
I am sure there are downsides, but seriously I could see every college student living in a dorm owning one of these. If not just to own it.
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It would be cool to reach into a big slab of green goo and pull out a nice cool (presumably goo-free) yogurt. Of course, my second question would be how they keep the goo from oozing out onto the floor, if it's just sitting there and you can reach in. There might be some clever solution for that, but I don't see them getting around the laws of thermodynamics.