Researchers from the Laboratory for Refrigeration and District Energy (LAHDE), in collaboration with the University of Seville and the University of Cambridge, have published a paper in the journal Advanced Energy Materials (IF=27.6), presenting a perspective on the use of magnetocaloric, pyromagnetic, electrocaloric, and pyroelectric materials for energy conversion.
These related technologies, as alternatives to existing ones, have significant potential for improving energy efficiency and the use of environmentally friendly materials and fluids, particularly in the fields of cryogenics, refrigeration, heat pumps, and efficient conversion of low-temperature waste heat into useful work.
Schematic representation of Hypereg concept using membranes (left) and actuators (right).
The first part of the paper describes the main challenges faced by these materials and their applications, while the second part proposes specific solutions, especially in the area of improving heat transfer between these materials and the working medium in devices.
Among these, the authors have introduced a new operational concept for the first time, for which LAHDE holds U.S. and Chinese patents. This concept enables a significant increase in power density, not only for caloric devices but also for devices based on thermoacoustic technologies and mechanical Stirling principles. The article concludes by addressing and opening up entirely unexplored areas, ranging from ultra-high temperature heat pumps to applications beyond our planet.