In battle field environments reliable compact refrigeration systems are critical to maintain vital life support temperatures for soldiers, as well as for high power electronic systems, and temperature critical sensors (i.e., infra-red, night vision etc.). Conventional refrigeration systems are cumbersome and have many moving parts that are prone to mechanical failure and which limits the level of miniaturization that can be achieved. A novel thermal cooling concept is proposed that has the potential to bridge the gap between achieving high thermal efficiency and miniaturization. Using a ferroelectric thin film and utilizing the electrocaloric effect, a solid state miniature heat pump can produce cooling using theoretical Stirling or Erricson refrigeration cycles. Due to the high efficiencies of ferroelectrics, the electrocaloric effect can be expected to achieve up to 70% cooling efficiencies.
Benefits: This solid state heat pump could be used in a broad range of military and commercial applications such as cooling for the soldier in the battlefield, light-weight cooling systems for the aerospace industry, and components cooling in power electronics. A miniaturized, high efficiency heat pump current does not exist. Any such break through in development is expected to revolutionize the refrigeration industry, and open up new products and markets that currently do not exist. Portable cooling units for the automobile, powered coolers for camping, CPU coolers, and other new applications will be possible.
Keywords:Cooling, electrocaloric, Refrigeration, ferroelectric, active materials, heat pump, refrigeration, phase change, latent heat
