Refrigerator

By putting a new spin on decades-old thermoelectric technology, scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have developed a tiny microscopic cooling device they describe as the "world’s smallest refrigerator."

​You may think that the humble coffee table is something that couldn't be subjected to a high-tech makeover, but … yeah, you'd be wrong. The currently-crowdfunding Coosno is equipped with a mini fridge, voice control, Google Home and more.

As SUVs have slimmed into crossovers, certain vehicle-camping gear has slimmed down along with them. Chinese company Iceco brings forth the latest compact car camping gadget, a super-portable fridge/freezer that looks as much like a digital picnic basket as an in-vehicle refrigerator.

Samsung has unveiled the latest Family Hub fridges at CES 2019, with the main new addition being a Family Board screen dedicated to posting photos and messages, and support for the latest version of the Bixby voice assistant.

​We've all forgotten about food in the refrigerator, and ended up having to throw it away. Well, Ovie is setting out to keep that from happening. Its Smarterware system keeps tabs on what's in your fridge, and reminds you about things that aren't getting used.

This year sees the introduction of the LG InstaView Door-in-Door refrigerator that boasts Amazon Alexa Voice Service support and a 29-inch touchscreen display that turns transparent with a couple of knocks to reveal what's stored within.

The days of the rackety, energy-gobbling refrigerator may be numbered with the advent of more efficient systems that cool with the use of magnets. Cooltech Applications has launched the first magnetic refrigeration system (MRS) for commercial use.​​

A new aerodynamic device has the potential to reduce the energy consumption of supermarket refrigerators by up to 41.5 percent. The product can be clipped onto existing cabinets, making it easy for companies to upgrade their stores.

When a fridge is opened, warm air gets into the main storage area and energy must be used to cool it again. LG tackled this problem with its Door-in-Door French-door refrigerator, which allowed regular-use items to be stored in a door-frame compartment. Now, the company has updated the design.

BottleLoft allows you to use the dead space in your refrigerator, making it possible to hang your favorite beverage from the ceiling of your fridge. The strong neodymium magnets hold bottles of beer or other beverages, freeing up shelf space for food.

What if your dryer could send a notification that would buzz your phone or smartwatch to let you know your laundry is done? Well, it may be easier to tap into the brains of your appliances than you might think, with GE's US$20 open-source Green Bean module.

While the quest for the perfect drop continues in breweries and back sheds all over the world, the people at Heineken realize that consumers are also thirsty for environmental responsibility. This has led to the development of the David XL Green draught system.