Predicted cooling powers for multilayer capacitors based on various electrocaloric and electrode materials

We argue that the multilayer capacitor (MLC) geometry is ideal for electrocaloric cooling. Thermal modeling predicts that a commercially available MLC, which serendipitously shows electrocaloric effects, could constitute the heart of an idealized heat pump delivering a continuous cooling power of 22.5 W kg(-1). This figure could be increased via materials optimization to similar to 2875 W kg(-1), such that an MLC array whose sheet area is just similar to 0.56 m(2) would deliver the similar to 20 kW cooling power of typical air-cooled chillers for air-conditioning at residential and commercial sites. Expensive materials are not required, and performance could be further enhanced via geometrical improvements.