Creating Cooling from the ‘Hot’ Sun

Abstract

Here we present a project appropriate for mechanical engineering students studying the thermal sciences. In particular, the project is to create cooling from the ‘hot’ sun. To this end, a common cooler was modified so that thermoelectric devices actively cooled it. The electrical energy input needed to power the thermoelectric devices was supplied from a solar panel. This project demonstrates an environmentally friendly methodology for providing air conditioning or refrigeration. In particular, the cooler does not deplete the earth's limited fossil fuel reserves nor does it harm the global environment either by depleting stratospheric ozone or by contributing to global warming through the emission of greenhouse gases. Simple analyses are presented which are used to characterize the thermodynamic performance of the cooler. In addition, some typical experimental results are presented. The project was developed as part of a summer program for secondary school students, whose aim was to encourage the students to consider mechanical engineering as a career. The project can easily be adapted to meet the needs of mechanical engineering undergraduate students studying the thermal sciences.