Leading lights from industry met pioneering researchers from academia at the SIRAC Oxford meeting in May to discuss ways of harnessing the latest research into sustainable refrigeration and air conditioning technology. The meeting at Oxford University was the first in a series of events being organised around the country by SIRAC, the recently formed Sustainable Innovations in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning network.

Delegates in Oxford heard presentations on the latest advances in magnetic cooling and new linear compressor technology. Dr Karl Sandeman of Cambridge University outlined the theory behind magnetic refrigeration, and presented the latest areas of promising research. “It is a rapidly evolving field, and we believe it has great commercial potential for the future,” he told delegates. Advances in magnetic cooling technology are being commercialised through Camfridge, a spin-off company from Cambridge University. It is working with several industry partners to develop magnetic cooling as a commercial proposition. Paul Bailey of Oxford University highlighted recent developments in cooling solutions for high integrity systems, such as satellites and space telescopes, which could have wider application in future. Researchers are developing the third generation of oil-less linear compressors for such applications, which are said to be more powerful, compact and robust than previous versions. A major project is underway to design a new cooling system for the successor to the Hubble Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope.

Robert Arthur, head of refrigeration at Marks and Spencer, said: “The network has great potential, if we can use it to close what has in the past been something of a gulf between what happens in the laboratories and the practicalities of the real world.” Judith Evans of FRPERC, Bristol University, and a member of the SIRAC steering committee, said: “It is really pleasing to see so many people from industry turning out to see what is happening on the research front.” Following the Oxford meeting, the next gathering will be at Ulster University on September 17, with the focus on advances in heat pump technology, reveals the company’s press release.