The inventors of an environmentally friendly magnetic fridge won top prize in the Swiss Technology Award at an inaugural event promoting Swiss innovation.
The designers were honoured during the first Swiss Innovation Forum that organisers hope will help dispel criticism that Switzerland falls short in the global innovation stakes.
Professors at the Graduate School of Engineering and Management in canton Vaud used existing magnetic technology to create a household fridge that does not emit harmful hydro-carbons into the atmosphere.
They plan to develop their innovation by using magnets in household heating, supermarket freezers and industrial cooling processes.
Speaking at the Swiss Innovation Forum in Baden, canton Aargau, on Friday, parliamentarian Ruedi Noser said the invention deserved the award because it has potential to solve an environmental problem.
“One key issue in the future is how to deal with the environment and make energy more efficient,” he told swissinfo. “The makers of this technology deserve credit for their innovation in this area.”
Read the full story from Swiss Info