KIT and University of Tsukuba develop heat-driven elastocaloric cooling system
Researchers from KIT and the University of Tsukuba developed a heat-driven elastocaloric cooling system using two ultra-thin nickel-titanium films, published in Nature Energy. The first film converts thermal energy directly into mechanical work when heated, and the second film converts this motion into cooling through reversible crystal structure changes. In laboratory tests, the prototype achieved a temperature difference of 4°C at component level with an actuator temperature of 86°C, and the elastocaloric refrigerant showed a temperature change of nearly 13°C. The system also demonstrated functionality with an external heat source at 130°C, proving the concept works with real-world heat sources.
