A device which is the opposite of a microwave?

Question

I'm no scientist, but from what I understand, a microwave works by stimulating the molecules to move about quicker, hence creating the heat necessary to warm whatever's in side. Now, when things get cold, it's because the molecules have slowed, right? So, we have a microwave, why isn't there a device to slow molecules rapidly, thus creating a device to cool things, even freeze things, in seconds/minutes?

A freezer would be the equivalent of an oven, not a microwave.

Answer 1

There is not yet a device to rapidly remove heat from objects by means of radiant energy. To do such a thing, it would be necessary to remove the heat from the hot object we are discussing in much the same manner as the heat was radiated into it in the first place.

The problem is that the microwaves are fairly penetrating when it comes to many objects, but randomize into heat once inside the object. How to remove that energy which is spread out inside the object?

It is believed that particles exist called phonons which are responsible for heat transfer effects. They may be thought of as quantized packets of vibrational energy.

If we learn of a way to generate phonons, it is believed that they can then pass through solid bodies and pick up heat and then carry it outside the bodies. This would have the effect of rapidly cooling the body.

However, we do not yet know of a means of generating phonons. And the theory has not yet been adequately tested: we do not yet know if the randomization process is time-invariant; that is we do not know whether it is reversible. Can heat be made to flow out of the object in that manner? It may prove that it just continues to heat th eobject up further.

Now, having said this, there is a way to quickly refrigerate things such as food items. An alcohol bath containing dry ice or a liquid nitrogen bath will almost immediately freeze most food type items, and variants on these processes may be used in commercial frozen food preparation. However, these are not safe for household use. There are probably also other methods of commercial rapid-freezing of which I am unaware.

Finally, Popular Science Magazine reported some years ago about a high voltage probe that could cool articles being welded or placed in flame. Photos were shown of a tissue, supported by a wire-mesh screen, with a bunsen burner under it, remaining unburned.

The 'probe' was described as being charged to a very high negative voltage. It seems that the invisible flow of electrons carried off excess heat (flame being an ionization phenomenon.) The extra electrons removed the heat without seeming to disturb the flame. This was proposed as a means of cooling articles during industrial manufacturing processes, such as welding, but I have not heard any further on the subject. Apparently it could cool the flame by hundreds of degrees but I suspect that it would not cool to below room temperature.

Answer 2

The laws of thermodynamics suggest that there is no way to remove heat from your food using radiation. The microwave oven works by taking coherent microwave radiation and degrading it into heat. This process is irreversible, so there is no such thing as a microwave cooler.

On the other hand, you can freeze things pretty quickly with Liquid Nitrogen. Dunk your burrito into Liquid Nitrogen, and it will be frozen solid in 30 seconds. You can make ice cream from liquid ice cream mixture in a minute by stirring in Liquid Nitrogen.

Liquid Nitrogen by itself is not too dangerous, although like the flame on your stove you don't want to stick your finger in it for very long. The reason we don't have a "Ronco home Liquid Nitrogen Maker" is not technology, it's the problem of possibly accummulating Liquid Oxygen along with the Liquid Nitrogen, thereby creating a serious fire hazard.

Answer 3

There was a device that vaguely resembled a microwave that did exactly that, that was featured on an episode of Tomorrow's World on the BBC, but I don't think the concept was developed, or there may not have been a big enough market for the product as such it has fallen into the void containing all failed products and inventions...

Answer 4

Tony is correct about the laser cooler, but it doesn't cool things rapidly. Instead, it's the only tool we know of which can remove the heat that's nearest the goal line of absolute zero.

We can cool a gas quickly by suddenly reducing its pressure. That's how a refrigerator works. Otherwise, the key to fast cooling is a path of maximum surface area, minimum length, maximum thermal conductivity to something else which is already at a maximally lower temperature.

Answer 5

the entire element of tea is to have it warm. those who drink tea on a customary foundation love with the flexibility to stir it to kick back, the wait, the nice and cozy. its all part of the approach. now to not slam your theory, yet how stupid is it? a gadget that cools nutrition..as hostile to easily letting it take a seat for 30 seconds, someone is going to bypass purchase yet another equipment? you do comprehend the basics of thermal capacity and whatnot, correct? the reason a refrigerator doesnt cool down at present is because the nutrition/drink is amazingly fairly warm. on condition that the refrigerator were really chilly might want to it take an on the spot, yet that could want to defeat the objective, thats why refrigerators have freezers. stick a cup of tea contained in the freezer for ten seconds, itll be cooler. you want a significantly better theory, again to the drafting board!

Answer 6

I believe you mean a microwave oven right?, because a microwave is not a device.A microwave oven emits microwaves, the opposite would bea susceptor, a material that absorbs microwave energy or a "heat retentive plate" OR A HI TEC STEAK PLATE which absorbs microwaves in just one minute and stays hot for 1/2 hour (My invention), see:http://www.heatstoragedish.com and
http://www.heatretentiveplates.com

By the way , just submerge anything in liquid nitrogen and see what happens (TAKE PRECAUTIONS, IT IS DANGEROUS)

Answer 7

That has baffled mankind for ages and as far as I know there isn't an answer.
It would be great if there was as you could cool drinks and other things in summer just as you warm food in a microwave.
I'll watch this space with interest in case there's a junior genious out there who comes up with something new

Answer 8

Arnie is right. (Passing dubie) We have lots of methods for adding energy to a system. Electric heaters, arc welders, microwaves, lasers, vibrational welding, but really only one way to remove energy from a system....heat exchange. The answer is somewhat more fundamental than you think. Its one of the basic laws of thermodynamics. All processes tend toward disorder, not order. In order to cool your beer in the fridge you have to burn more energy than the energy "lost" from the can of beer.

Answer 9

We have - the heat exchanger in your freezer does this.

To cool things in seconds then liquid nitrogen is likely to be involved. It's not a substance I want to keep in the house with my kids, but is great fun!

Answer 10

A blast freezer