Abstract
Elastocaloric cooling systems can evolve into an environmentally friendly alternative to compressor-based cooling systems. One of the main factors preventing its application is a poor long-term stability of the elastocaloric material. This especially applies to systems that work with tensile loads and which benefit from the large surface area for heat transfer. Exerting compressive instead of tensile loads on the material increases long-term stability—though at the expense of cooling power density. Here, we present a heat transfer concept for elastocaloric systems where heat is transferred by evaporation and condensation of a fluid. Enhanced heat transfer rates allow us to choose the sample geometry more freely and thereby realize a compression-based system showing unprecedented long-term stability of 107 cycles and cooling power density of 6270 W kg−1.
Highlights
Elastocaloric cooling systems can evolve into an environmentally friendly alternative to compressor-based cooling systems
We present a system concept, which we call ‘active elastocaloric heat pipe’ (AEH)
Since water is characterized by very large enthalpy of evaporation, a small amount of water can transfer a great amount of heat, enabling heat transfer coefficients that are orders of magnitude larger than e. g. convective heat transfer
Summary
Elastocaloric cooling systems can evolve into an environmentally friendly alternative to compressor-based cooling systems. One of the main factors preventing its application is a poor long-term stability of the elastocaloric material. This especially applies to systems that work with tensile loads and which benefit from the large surface area for heat transfer. In ECMs, the material’s microstructure changes from the austenitic to martensitic phase when exposed to a load, resulting in a reversible temperature change of the material. This “elastocaloric effect” can be induced by tensile and compressive loads[6] as well as by bending and torsion[7]. Long-term stability is discussed as a major challenge for ECS9–13
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
