Projects / Programmes
From the elastocaloric effect to the efficient cooling device
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.13.05 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Process engineering |
Cryogenics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T200 |
Technological sciences |
Thermal engineering, applied thermodynamics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.03 |
Engineering and Technology |
Mechanical engineering |
elastocaloric effect, cooling, shape memory materials, superelasticity, heat transfer
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
29624 |
PhD Jaka Tušek |
Process engineering |
Head |
2016 - 2018 |
153 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The aim of the project is to gain fundamental understanding of the elastocaloric effect (ECE) for its application in a practical cooling device with the final goal to build and test the first proof-of-the-concept elastocaloric cooling device.
The ECE is a phenomena of stress-induced martensitic transformation in which shape memory materials show positive and negative temperature changes under alternating stress and reversible deformation in material. Recently, it has attracted quite some attention due to high adiabatic temperature changes and potentially high cooling power and efficiency of such cooling cycle. However, proof-of-the-concept of a cooling device based on ECE has not yet been tested, which is the main objective of the proposed project.
The project consists of five Working Packages (WP). At the first stage of the project (WP 1) the basic thermodynamic property data sets of the most interesting elastocaloric materials (ECM) needed for further modeling will be constructed based on the material property measurements and unique theoretical model.
A comprehensive numerical modeling of elastocaloric cooling device will be applied at the second stage of the project (WP 2). For that purpose mechanical (stress-strain) modeling will be performed simultaneously with the thermodynamic modeling. The goal is to define the optimal concept of the elastocaloric cooling device, optimal geometry of ECM and supporting structure for dynamic mechanical loading and the optimal corresponding operation conditions. Two development concepts will be considered theoretically (numerically). The first concept is based on an active regeneration principle, which is based on a porous ECM through which heat transfer fluid is pumped. The second concept is small single-stage cooling device with contact heat transfer, which allows for miniature applications. The main goal of mechanical modeling is to minimize the stress in the structure of ECM and to find the optimal loading and clamping technique of a supporting structure (grips) in order to maximize the fatigue life during dynamic loading. On the other hand, thermodynamic modeling will be performed with the aim to evaluate the cooling characteristics of particular ECM in particular geometry and to define optimal corresponding operation conditions, such as operating frequency, applied strain, performed thermodynamic cycle, etc.
Proof-of-the-concept prototype of an elastocaloric cooling device of the most promising development concept for practical applications (evaluated numerically) will be designed and built in the WP 3. A special focus will be put on finding an efficient loading system in order to allow also for efficient recovery of the work released during unloading of ECM.
Cooling characteristics of the developed elastocaloric cooling device, such as temperature span between the heat sink and heat source, cooling power and the COP (efficiency) of the device will be measured at various different operating conditions in the WP 4. With that the developed mechanical and thermodynamic numerical models of an elastocaloric cooling device of will be evaluated as well.
Development of the world first elastocaloric cooling device would present a breakthrough in different research fields and open doors for further research and developments. We expect that this project will confirm (for the first time) the finding of the report by US Department of Energy on the alternative cooling technologies from 2014, which presents the ECE as the most promising alternative, non-vapor-compression cooling technology. This can be a great opportunity for further collaboration with our industrial partners and others in different refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pumping fields.
Significance for science
During the project we gained better understanding of the basic thermodynamic processes of the elastocaloric cooling, its potential, application benefits and limits. High potential of elastocaloric cooling was demonstrated by recent research and highlighted in the report of the US Department of Energy about the alternative cooling technologies form 2014. Among all non-compression based cooling technologies the above mentioned report presents the elastocaloric cooling as the cooling technology with the highest potential for future applications. As the main result of the project, it should be pointed out that we managed as the first in the world to experimentally demonstrate the outstanding potential of elastocaloric cooling technology. We designed, manufactured and tested the first (worldwide) regenerative elastocaloric device, with which we achieved outstanding cooling (heat-pumping) characteristics that significantly exceed the characteristics of other elastocaloric devices built to the date, as well as the great majority of other devices based on other caloric effects (magnetic cooling). The results of this work were published in the prestigious Nature Energy journal. With this pioneering work, we opened the door to the further research and development of elastocaloric cooling technology and heat pumps, which is becoming one of the hottest scientific fields in the world.
Significance for the country
The project enabled a direct transfer of knowledge and “know-how” acquired abroad into Slovenia; in the first place into the academic environment and further also into Slovenian industry. Namely, prior to the project, the project leader (postdoc) worked at the Technical University of Denmark, where he obtained basic knowldge on the elastocaloric effect, for which he received a prestigious H.C. Orsted Postdoc scholarship in 2013. With the development of the world-first regenerative elastocaloric device, the project opened new possibilities for further development of Slovenian science in the field of alternative cooling technologies. Furthermore, this is a unique opportunity for many Slovenian companies working in the field of cooling, air conditioning and heat pumps. Some of them already have showed a great interest in the development of this technology. It is estimated that the value of refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat-pump applications market is currently about 100 billion U.S. dollars, among which a great majority is taken by vapor-compression refrigerators. In the future a part of this huge market can be replaced with elastocaloric cooling devices. Due to rapid development and more powerful electronic components, the cooling demands and the demands for new cooling methods are keep increasing. In addition, the needs for alternative cooling technologies come from international regulations, which already partly restrict the usage of relatively low-efficient and environmentally harmful vapor-compression technology. New, advanced, more efficient and environmentally friendly refrigeration technology can therefore be a great opportunity for various industries and different sectors. In addition to different refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pumping industries, the technologies and applications that can especially benefit from elastocaloric cooling are transport cooling, electric vehicles, household appliances and microcooling and cooling of electronic components.
Most important scientific results
Interim report,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report,
final report
