DVICE.com, part of the Sci Fi network which is owned by NBC, is featuring a team of SJSU engineering students and their sizzling hot ice-making machine. The Solar Icemaker, quite simply, makes ice from the sun’s heat. In engineering terms, it “implements an intermittent absorption refrigeration cycle.”

What does that mean?!

The engineering students use two materials to create a chemical reaction, which becomes so cold that anything near the chemical reaction freezes, like water. In order to create ice continuously, the chemical reaction is produced over and over again by separating the two chemicals, with the heat of the sun, and then combining them again, at night.

Besides being a cool invention, the Solar Icemaker has a zero carbon footprint. No greenhouse gases are emitted during its operation nor are there any chemicals emitted that would deplete the ozone layer. The project has been entered into several design and business plan competitions.

The SJSU mechanical engineering student team consists of Jeremy Locquiao, Randy Pascua, Jeff Yangsamaran, and Jorge Guerrero. The engineering faculty advisors are Jinny Rhee and Jim Mokri. Anu Basu, from the College of Business, is their business faculty advisor.

You can view the DVICE.com story at http://dvice.com/archives/2008/08/solar_icemaker.php