Projects / Programmes
New advanced electrocaloric materials for novel environmentally-friendly dielectric refrigeration technology
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.21.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Technology driven physics |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P260 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic and optical properties, supraconductors, magnetic resonance, relaxation, spectroscopy |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.03 |
Natural Sciences |
Physical sciences |
energy conversion, energy harvesting, giant electrocaloric effect, polymers, ceramics, composite polymeric nanomaterials,liquid crystals, heat capacity, heat conductivity, cooling devices, improved energy efficiency, environmentally friendly technology
Researchers (20)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
This project is a proposal for continuation of ARRS support for the research of the electrocalorics which is crucial for development of new cooling technologies based on electrocaloric cooling elements. Recently, the electrocaloric effect (ECE) has attracted a considerable attention of the scientific community due to a very strong potential of replacing the present cooling technologies with electrocaloric or dielectric refrigeration. Our recent experimental research, published in the distinguished international scientific journals from the field of the applied physics have shown that the large electrocaloric effect indeed exists in two classes of materials; perovskite relaxor ferroelectrics and ferroelectric polymers. In collaboration with the research group of Prof. Q. M. Zhang from Pennsylvania State University we have shown that the electrocaloric effect can exceed 20 K temperature change in thin films of P(VDF-TrFE) polymers and 40 K in thin films of perovskite relaxor PLZT
ceramics. Such magnitude of the electrocaloric effect can for the first time make numerous
commercial applications related to the dielectric refrigeration achievable. The proposed project will resolve several open questions and issues listed which will enable electrocaloric materials to revolutionize the cooling industry the proposed project must resolved several questions and issues listed below: (i) to find most efficient electrocaloric material and to (ii) optimized it in such a way that it will survive defined number of electric field cycles; (iii) to find the best materials for thermal switchers and/or regenerators, which will ensure the proper heat transfer between the cold and hot end of the device; (iv) to assemble the prototype of the dielectric cooling device working on a cascade principle and to test its heat transport properties to optimize it and to compare it with the already existing cooling devices based on a regenerative principle. The advantage of the cascade type of the cooling device is associated to the potential for further degree of miniaturization of cooling devices. The results of the project will be disseminated in form of the prototype of the dielectric cooling device, scientific articles, PhD thesis, domestic and international patents and lectures at international scientific meetings. The project group is certainly capable to realize the goals of the project since besides the expertise it has already an international patent application related to the working idea of such a cooling device based on the electrocaloric cooling. This project opens not only a new research field in Slovenia, but its results can lead to new technologies and industrial branches. The project results could have significant importance not only on specific branches of the Slovenian industry, but on the world industry related to the development of the new generation of cooling devices. It should be noted, that ECE opens possibilities to develop new dielectric microrefrigerators, which can enable series of novel applications related to the point-cooling in microelectronics.
Significance for science
The project results are very important for the science of caloric effects in solid state materials and development of novel cooling technologies. Within the project, two prototypes of solid state cooling devices were developed working on the basis of regeneration and cascade principles. In the first regeneration prototype we shoed that the solid state PMN-10PT ceramics can be used as a working body of the cooling device. That was the only working solid state cooling device with largest regeneration factor. The device and the testing results were published in distinguished international journal Applied Physics Letters and also presented in the review article about the caloric cooling, published by Moya et al. in distinguished scientific journal Nature Physics. besides the regenerative technique, we showed that it is also possible to develop the cascade cooling device, that is exploiting the both electrocaloric and electromechanic effects for the heat transfer. Importance of the project results is also reflected in the high citations of the published articles, that have been in a relatively short period of time citated more than 200 times in international scientific literature (according to WOS).
Significance for the country
Development of the electrocaloric cooling device prototype based on solid-state PMN-10PT ceramics and regeneration technique. This is the only working prototype of such solid-state cooling device in the world with best regeneration factor. The company Gorenje d.o.o. has expressed interest in our research in the field of caloric cooling and has in between bought out our patent application that has recently been granted EU patent. Development of new technologies and knowledge can enhance the development level of slovenian economy as well as improve the added value and competitiveness of slovenia products.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
2015,
final report
