By: Prof. Dr. Andrej Kitanovski - University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Slovenia
When: September, 23 - 12.30PM
Where: Salón de Actos, ICMM
Abstract: In last two decades, solid-state physics has witnessed the emergence of innovative technologies that have the potential to revolutionize refrigeration, heat pumping, air conditioning, energy harvesting, and thermal storage. These technologies are centered around the caloric effect, which occurs when certain materials undergo phase transitions in response to varying applied fields, stresses, forces, or combinations thereof. This phenomenon has led to the development of magnetocaloric, barocaloric, electrocaloric, elastocaloric, and multicaloric materials.
Caloric heating, cooling, energy harvesting, and thermal storage are solid-state alternatives that can replace traditional solutions or fill gaps in energy conversion and storage. The key advantages of these technologies include recyclable and leak-free materials or refrigerants, silent operation without vibrations, operation without moving parts, and high theoretical energy efficiency due to the reversible thermodynamic cycles.
This lecture will delve into the fundamental principles and thermodynamics behind the caloric effects and explore various applications that can improve energy efficiency and sustainability across different market sectors. It will also provide an overview of the current state of devices and systems developed to date, highlighting the main challenges and potential solutions for each technology. Furthermore, the lecture will outline future developments and directions in the field, emphasizing the potential for these emerging technologies to transform the way we manage energy.
