Improving Elastocaloric Cooling Performance by Applying Novel Thermodynamic Cycle

Shape memory alloys such as NiTi can be used as recyclable, nontoxic, nonflammable, and environmentally friendly solid refrigerants in elastocaloric cooling/heat-pumping. Thin wires under tension and thin- walled tubes under compression that allow for fast and efficient heat transfer are excellent candidates to be applied in elastocaloric devices and were therefore selected for this study. Multiple thermodynamic cycles were studied with an emphasis on the parameters of the holding period of the cycle (essential for heat transfer between the elastocaloric material and the heat sink/source). The results reveal that the applied thermodynamic cycle significantly affects the thermomechanical response and thus the cooling/heating efficiency of the shape memory material.