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1. December 2015

Electrocalorics: Energy saving by efficient cooling concepts

match | A novel cooling technology shall make air conditioning systems, electronic cooling devices and freezers more efficient and reduce their energy consumption considerably. Scientists of the Institute match are doing research on how to design devices, in order to utilize the electrocaloric effect in an optimal way.

Cooling systems keep food and drugs fresh, cooled processors enable higher clock rates, and batteries in electric vehicles last longer at constant temperature. The drawback of cooling systems is the high energy consumption. For this reason, research is focused on the development of more efficient systems.
Within the scope of the DFG Priority Programme 1599 "Caloric Effects in Ferroic Materials: New Concepts for Cooling", the Institute of Assembly Technology (match) is working on electrocalorics as an innovative cooling technology. In the Subproject B7: "Methodological Development and Design of Electrocaloric Cooling Systems for Electric Vehicle Applications", match scientists are investigating on the optimum design of electrocaloric cooling systems for maximally efficient use in real applications – for example, in e-vehicles for battery cooling.
The influencing parameters are determined by simulations and lab demonstrators, being the basis for a universal development methodology and an application-oriented design. In this way, the first commercial electrocaloric cooling systems could be ready for use in about 10 to 15 years.

by Philipp Blumenthal

Benefits derived from research results

  • Efficient cooling by using the electrocaloric effect
  • Development methods for the design of electrocaloric cooling devices
  • First electrocaloric cooling system in e-vehicles possible in 10 to 15 years
  • Project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG)
Eis_01
Every type of cooling is energy-consuming. Researchers are currently working on a technology that is as efficient as possible. (Photo: tournee - Fotalia.com)
match_Elektrokalorik_Bild2_en
The demonstrator of an electrocaloric cooling device with regenerator, developed at the Institute match. (Photo: match/Blumenthal)
match_Elektrokalorik_Bild3_01
Based on simulation results, visualization of the temperature fields on the regenerator. (Diagram: match/Blumenthal)
match_Elektrokalorik_Bild4_en
Comparing the efficiency of different cooling technologies reveals the high potential of electrocaloric concepts. (Diagram: match/Blumenthal)

Contact

Philipp Blumenthal

+49 (0) 511 391-7615
Blumenthal@match.uni-hannover.de

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