Layered ceramic structure based on the electrocaloric elements working as a solid state cooling line

The temperature response in the solid state cooling line composed of electrocaloric (EC) and thermoconductive elements was investigated using analytical approach and computational experiment. A periodical bias electric field applied to ferroelectric capacitor caused their heating and cooling, however, alternative adiabatic and isothermal switching of the EC elements allowed to generate the directed heat flux and the temperature decrease AT at one edge of the solid state structure. Thin film topologies are expediently to be used because thin electrocaloric elements are most appropriate to enhance switching frequency and increase AT. The temperature decrease similar to 20 degrees was obtained at one edge of the cooling line with (Ba,Sr)TiO3 EC elements. The serial connection of the EC lines can give a considerable cooling effect. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.