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Physicists aren't known for their relaxed ways. But some of them have learned to chill out with the help of sound. Professor
Dr. Steven Garrett, Senior Scientist in Thermoacoustics at the Applied Research Laboratory of Pennsylvania State University
visited Malaysia this week and spoke with Yasmin Rasyid, Director of Eco Knights, an environmental advocacy group in Kuala
Lumpur. In a discussion with her on December 16, Dr. Garrett explained his work on a new type of refrigerator that uses sound
waves to keep cool. Backed by the well-known American ice cream maker Ben and Jerry, this new means of refrigeration uses
sound waves instead of chemicals, and can go a long way toward restoring the earth's atmospheric balance. While you won't see
them in the frozen-food aisle of our grocery store any time soon, Dr. Garrett's invention appears to be a more environmentally,
and yes, "sound" alternative to traditional refrigerators. Dr. Garrett believes that efficient, environmentally friendly and
thermo acoustic engines could provide a viable alternative to traditional refrigeration systems that rely on ozone-depleting
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and their substitutes. Dr. Garrett is part of the Jefferson Science Fellows (JSF) program at the
U.S. Department of State, which is a program designed to engage U.S. academic communities in the formulation and implementation
of U.S. foreign policy. The JSF program is administered by the National Academies and supported through a partnership between
the U.S. STE academic community, professional scientific societies, and the U.S. Department of State. For more information,
visit http://www7.nationalacademies.org/Jefferson/
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