Malappuram: Operating an air conditioner using a smart phone will be one of the possibilities of the ‘Internet of Things’ soon. (Internet of Things is a proposed development of the internet in which everyday objects have network connectivity, allowing them to send and receive data).
But think of converting a smart phone itself into an air conditioner. A company based at Kottakkal in Malappuram has developed this technology. The Britco and Bridco, a mobile phone technology and training company, has invented an electronic chip which can be attached to a smart phone or a wall to get the cooling effect of an air conditioner with minimal power consumption.
The 20 watts thermal cooling chip developed by two years of research by the company needs no chemicals and compressors as the normal ACs to cool the air. The chip is quick in cooling and the heat will be absorbed by a heat sink attached to it. Tiny cooling fans could also be used with it for better results. “A panel of 10 chips (200 watts) is enough to cool a 100 sq.ft room with minimal power consumption. The panel can be mounted on the wall like LCD/LED television which takes less space. Only a single unit of electricity is needed for this air conditioner to work five hours continuously,” says T. Baiju, head of the research and development wing of Britco and Bridco.
The technology is based on zero e-waste concept. The ACs to be manufactured using the thermal cooling chips will be noise-free and needs no toxic or flammable gases that could result in fatal accidents. The company has applied for the patent for its invention.
“This is the realisation of an idea which could pave the way for large-scale changes in the technology used in the manufacturing of air conditioners. Besides mobile phones, ACs with the chip can also be attached to cars which would help reduce fuel and power consumption considerably,” says Hamsa Anchumukkil, founder of the company.
