中国物理B ›› 2026, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (7): 77503-077503.doi: 10.1088/1674-1056/ae3692

• • 上一篇    

Review of elastocaloric cooling systems and their performance

Yao Wang(王尧)1,2,† and Suxin Qian(钱苏昕)1,‡   

  1. 1 Department of Refrigeration and Cryogenic Engineering, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China;
    2 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
  • 收稿日期:2025-11-25 修回日期:2026-01-06 接受日期:2026-01-12 发布日期:2026-07-02
  • 通讯作者: Yao Wang, Suxin Qian E-mail:refwangy@gmail.com;qiansuxin@xjtu.edu.cn
  • 基金资助:
    This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. U2441272 and 52376015) and the HE Science Foundation.

Review of elastocaloric cooling systems and their performance

Yao Wang(王尧)1,2,† and Suxin Qian(钱苏昕)1,‡   

  1. 1 Department of Refrigeration and Cryogenic Engineering, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China;
    2 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
  • Received:2025-11-25 Revised:2026-01-06 Accepted:2026-01-12 Published:2026-07-02
  • Contact: Yao Wang, Suxin Qian E-mail:refwangy@gmail.com;qiansuxin@xjtu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. U2441272 and 52376015) and the HE Science Foundation.

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摘要： Elastocaloric cooling offers a solid-state alternative to conventional vapor-compression systems by leveraging stress-induced phase transitions in materials like shape-memory alloys (SMAs). This review comprehensively analyzes the development and performance of elastocaloric cooling systems to date. We explain the thermodynamic mechanisms and material requirements, emphasizing challenges such as low latent heat and fatigue life. Subsequently, we categorize and compare thermal contact and heat-transfer-fluid (HTF)-based prototypes, discussing their achievements in temperature span and cooling power. The technical maturity of elastocaloric cooling systems is not comparable to that of commercial vapor-compression systems yet in terms of coefficient of performance (COP) and practicality. We further explore innovative approaches like work recovery, modular design, and novel loading modes (e.g., torsion) to bridge application gaps. The review concludes that elastocaloric cooling holds promise for sustainable refrigeration, though material fatigue, system COP, and heat transfer efficiency remain critical bottlenecks for future research.

关键词: solid-state refrigeration, caloric cooling, elastocaloric cooling, shape-memory alloys, prototype development

Abstract: Elastocaloric cooling offers a solid-state alternative to conventional vapor-compression systems by leveraging stress-induced phase transitions in materials like shape-memory alloys (SMAs). This review comprehensively analyzes the development and performance of elastocaloric cooling systems to date. We explain the thermodynamic mechanisms and material requirements, emphasizing challenges such as low latent heat and fatigue life. Subsequently, we categorize and compare thermal contact and heat-transfer-fluid (HTF)-based prototypes, discussing their achievements in temperature span and cooling power. The technical maturity of elastocaloric cooling systems is not comparable to that of commercial vapor-compression systems yet in terms of coefficient of performance (COP) and practicality. We further explore innovative approaches like work recovery, modular design, and novel loading modes (e.g., torsion) to bridge application gaps. The review concludes that elastocaloric cooling holds promise for sustainable refrigeration, though material fatigue, system COP, and heat transfer efficiency remain critical bottlenecks for future research.

Key words: solid-state refrigeration, caloric cooling, elastocaloric cooling, shape-memory alloys, prototype development

中图分类号:  (Magnetocaloric effect, magnetic cooling)

  • 75.30.Sg
65.40.G- (Other thermodynamical quantities) 44.27.+g (Forced convection) 44.10.+i (Heat conduction)