A compact NiTi elastocaloric air cooler with low force bending actuation

Elastocaloric cooling has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional vapor-compression refrigeration, and miniaturization is essential for commercialization of this cooling technology. Here, a compact NiTi elastocaloric air cooler with low force bending actuation is presented. The phase transformation of bent NiTi sheets (with a maximum strain of 7.20% on the surface of tension side) is induced at a specific driving force of 5.64 N.g(-) (1), which is at least two orders of magnitude lower than those of tensive and compressive modes. The cooler with single-row bent NiTi sheets and air duct is studied, achieving an output air flow of 5.5 K temperature reduction in the cooling cycle and a maximum specific cooling power of 0.137 W.g(-1) in experiments. The cooler with multi -row NiTi sheets produces a maximum cooling power of 11.5 W at the current stage. These results show a development potential for the compact and miniature elastocaloric cooling device.

Automated summary

This study presents a compact and miniature elastocaloric air cooler using NiTi material, demonstrating its good cooling performance and potential for development.