Multifunctional materials for actuator and cooling devices

TITLE: Multifunctional materials for actuator and cooling devices

PERIOD: 1.1.2016 – 31.12.2018

HEAD: Asst. Prof. Dr. Tadej Rojac

RESEARCHERS

ORGANISATIONS:

  • Jožef Stefan Institute
  • National Institute of Chemistry

FUNDED BY: Slovenian Research Agency

ABSTRACT: Society is becoming increasingly demanding in terms of electrical energy, functional heating and cooling in everyday life. Energy storage, conversion, supply and consumption have thus become of a global priority. Severe regulations are expected in the near future in EU and world-wide, resulting in a strong pressure on basic and applied research in the field of functional materials. More

SIGNIFICANCE FOR SCIENCE: The electrocaloric effect (ECE), i.e., a change of temperature in a material that is induced by application of typically large electric field, has recently attracted a particular attention due to its strong potential of replacing the present cooling technologies, such as the gas-compression based techniques. More

SIGNIFICANCE FOR SLOVENIA: Research and development projects, such as the one, are timely and essential for the future economy related to new markets and business opportunities, both in Slovenia and Europe.  More

Bending of multifunctional cantilever under electric field:

Micro-cooler made from multifunctional cantilevers. The cantilevers deflect and change temperature upon applied electric field: