Chinese scientists successfully created a refrigerator with a temperature close to absolute zero

Chinese scientists developed a refrigerator prototype with a temperature only 0.01 degrees Celsius higher than absolute zero.

The Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing believes that a new Chinese-made refrigerator can solve a major problem in the field of quantum computing, marking a major step forward to help the country become technologically self-reliant. A real challenge with quantum computers, which are capable of many tasks, including accelerating the development of artificial intelligence, is the need for extremely cold temperatures and isolated environments.

The new refrigerator prototype can reach the extremely low temperatures needed for quantum computers. (Photo: Academy of Sciences).

"The research team will continue to improve technology so that the new generation of refrigerators under development can achieve the quality of imported products in terms of usefulness and stability ," said Ji Zhongqing, a graduate student at the institute.

According to Xinhua, the refrigerator model has an extremely low temperature, only 0.01 degrees Celsius higher than absolute zero (-273.15 degrees Celsius) . Absolute zero is the lowest temperature at which all thermal motion stops. According to Ji, the refrigerator prototype does not need liquid helium to lower the temperature like a conventional refrigerator, has more space inside, can run longer, and is very easy to control and maintain. Refrigerators that do not require liquid helium have become increasingly popular in recent years.

China opened its first large-scale helium plant last year in an effort to reduce dependence on imports of high-tech products. Helium is a noble gas, meaning it is stable and does not react with other elements, even in extreme environments. Helium is super light, colorless and in limited supply. Nearly all helium is used in China, whether to fuel Long March 5 rockets, to protect metals during welding, to produce laser lights or to create ultra-clean environments to produce computer chips. , all come from abroad, mainly the US or US facilities in other countries.

Denver Li Danfeng, assistant professor of physics at the University of Hong Kong, said the introduction of the refrigerator model could help China gain an edge in the race to develop quantum computers and low-temperature technologies.