# Refrigerators and Robots with Amitabh Shrivastava

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2023-02-06
- Length: 1h 11m
- Episode: 618
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-02-06-refrigerators-and-robots-with-amitabh-shrivastava
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/618-refrigerators-and-robots-with-amitabh-shrivastava/

## Summary

Chris Gammell, a maker from Jersey City, discusses his work in soft robotics and portable refrigeration. He details the design of 'Programmable Air,' an open-source kit for controlling pneumatic soft robots using an Arduino Nano and specific valves, and explains the challenges of sourcing reliable components. Gammell also describes 'Refigidiro,' a backpack-style vapor compression refrigerator he built to cool liquor, explaining the thermodynamics of the refrigeration cycle and its potential applications in vaccine storage and energy efficiency.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-02-06-refrigerators-and-robots-with-amitabh-shrivastava#t=0) Introduction: Chris Gammell and Background
- [6:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-02-06-refrigerators-and-robots-with-amitabh-shrivastava#t=360) Physics to Engineering Transition and Early Projects
- [23:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-02-06-refrigerators-and-robots-with-amitabh-shrivastava#t=1402) Programmable Air and Soft Robotics
- [36:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-02-06-refrigerators-and-robots-with-amitabh-shrivastava#t=2175) Sourcing Challenges and Component Quality
- [43:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-02-06-refrigerators-and-robots-with-amitabh-shrivastava#t=2593) Refigidiro: The Backpack Refrigerator
- [49:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-02-06-refrigerators-and-robots-with-amitabh-shrivastava#t=2966) Refrigeration Cycle and Thermodynamics
- [59:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-02-06-refrigerators-and-robots-with-amitabh-shrivastava#t=3567) Applications: Vaccine Storage and Heat Pumps

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- Programmable Air (product)
- Refigidiro (product)
- Arduino Nano (chip)
- CrowdSupply (company)
- Mouser (company)
- Other Lab (company)
- KUKA (company)
- Universal Robots (company)
- Gradient (company)
- Kip Bradford (other)
- Adam Savage (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [450: Swimming Through Nutritious Slurry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-05-25-450-swimming-through-nutritious-slurry) (Embedded.fm)
- [207. Meet The Life-saving Snake Robot](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-01-21-207-meet-the-life-saving-snake-robot) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Ep 183: Stowaway Science, Cold Basements, and Warm Beers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-08-26-ep-183-stowaway-science-cold-basements-and-warm-beers) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 357: BreezyBox, Antique Tech, and Defusing Killer Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-02-13-ep-357-breezybox-antique-tech-and-defusing-killer-robots) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [DIY Streamdeck, Bela's beautiful STM32 module, ROCK 5 Model B, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-11-28-diy-streamdeck-belas-beautiful-stm32-module-rock-5-model-b-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)

## Citing this page

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