Sustainable cooling using magnetic refrigerants

Research question

In this research project we will study solid-state refrigerants enabling a transformative change in heating/cooling technologies by providing a technology significantly more energy efficient and environmentally friendly compared to today’s gas compression/expansion based systems.The scientific challenges include fine tuning the composition of some existing materials as well as finding novel magnetic refrigerants consisting of earth abundant and non-toxic elements to minimize the thermal hysteresis while maintaining the giant magnetocaloric effect (GMCE). An important part of the project is to use advanced techniques available at large-scale experimental infrastructure for synchrotron/neutron investigations to unpuzzle the mechanism behind the GMCE.

Sustainability aspects

By contributing to the development of solid-state refrigeration, a technology more energy efficient and environmentally friendly compared to the existing technology, we are addressing the UN Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible consumption and production. Moreover, the majority of gases used in today’s refrigerants are hydrofluorocarbons, a highly potent greenhouse gas. Therefore, magnetic refrigeration will reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which connects to the SDG 13: Climate action.