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Probably a stupid question, but will we ever have something like a microwave to make things cold? Is there a reason this can't exist? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 45 points 9 months ago (14 children)

So this isn't fully what you're looking for, but if you want to cool something more quickly, wrap a wet paper towel around it and stick it in the freezer.

Water has a higher rate of heat transfer than air, so it'll speed up the cooling. Just make sure to check on it occasionally so any sodas you put in don't explode

[+] [email protected] -6 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (6 children)

The water has to be cooled too, and there's still air around it though?

I guess we're talking about direct contact, not around a container, otherwise the water turned ice may even serve as an insulator?

[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago (3 children)

The water creates a better way to transfer heat from the container to the freezer because it has direct contact with the container and replaces the air around it. Yes the water needs to be cooled too, but still the process is way faster because air really is a good insulator for heat. This is why insulating materials for houses e.g. always try to maximize air content (foam, glass wool, styrofoam)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

N.B. maximize air content while minimising air movement and therefore convection. Otherwise you could just have cavities in your walls for maximum air.