Scientists have invented a dryer that can dry clothes in half the time without heat (GE)

Waiting an hour for your clothes to dry can feel tedious.But scientistsat Oak Ridge National Laboratoryin Tennessee have developed a dryer that couldmake doing laundry much quicker. Called the ultrasonic dryer, it's expected to be up to five times more energy efficient than most conventional dryers and abledry a large load of clothes in about half the time.Instead of using heat the way mostdryers do, the ultrasonic dryer relies onhigh-frequency vibrations. Devices called green transducers convert electricity into vibrations, shaking the waterfrom clothes.The scientists say that this method will allow amedium load of laundry to dry in20 minutes, which is significantly less time than the average 50 minutes it takes in many heat-based machines.Americansspend a total of$9 billion each year ' up to 4% of America's total residential energy use ' on electricity to power dryers. If the ultrasonic dryer becomes commercially available, it could therefore save energy and money.Thedrying technology also leaves lesslint behind than normal dryers do, since the majority of lint is created when thehot air stream blows tiny fibers off ofclothing. Drying clothes without heat alsoreduces the chance that theircolors will fade.Theteam has been working with General Electric and the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop the ultrasonic drying technology, a process that has thus far taken two years.The DOE has devoted $880,000 in funding toward the project.As of now, theresearchershave createda working prototype, butthe dryer won't hit the commercial market for at leasta couple of years.Check it out in action below:SEE ALSO:The US may be releasing over 64,000 pounds of tiny synthetic clothing fibers into the water every dayJoin the conversation about this storyNOW WATCH: This tiny bag claims to clean your clothes as well as a washing machine in 3 minutes
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