From the elastocaloric effect towards an efficient thermodynamic cycle

Abstract In recent years, elastocaloric cooling technology has been considered as one of the most promising alternatives to vapor compression technology. Given that is only in early stages development, a uniform method for evaluating effect not yet established, and thermodynamics different cycles have studied detail. Therefore, main goal this work investigate these two important areas. Here, multiple thermodynamic were studied, focusing on parameters holding period cycle, which essential heat transfer between material sink/source. The applied commercially available superelastic thin-walled NiTi tubes under compressive loading thin wire tensile loading. Isostress with constant stress throughout period, isostrain strain no-hold (without period) across stress/strain ranges. Based experimental results, previously developed phenomenological model was better understand further evaluate cycles. results revealed cycle significantly affects thermomechanical response thus cooling/heating efficiency material. We show by using isostress partial transformations, Carnot-like improved heating/cooling can be generated. By applying cycles, an adiabatic temperature change 30.2 K measured, among largest directly measured reproducible changes reported any caloric date. Ultimately, study intends serve basis establishing materials would allow reliable accurate one-to-one comparison rapidly growing field elastocalorics.