Electrocaloric Cooling: Present Advances and Future Perspectives

Electrocaloric effect (ECE) is the ability of a dielectric to change its temperature and entropy as an electric field is applied and released. It provides an effective means to realize solid-state cooling devices that are environmentally benign and potentially highly energy efficient. Recent breakthroughs are presented in ferroelectric materials exhibiting giant electrocaloric effect, where an adiabatic temperature change DT > 40 ^oC has been obtained in several nano-structured ferroelectrics.  EC cooling devices based on these new materials, as well as challenges and future perspectives are discussed.