| TOPICAL REVIEW — Multiferroicity and multicaloric effects |
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A review from elasto- to twistocaloric cooling |
| Ziqian Zhang(张子千)1, Xiang Zhou(周湘)2,†, and Zunfeng Liu(刘遵峰)1,‡ |
1 State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China;
2 Department of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China |
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Abstract As a significant branch of solid-state cooling, elastocaloric and twistocaloric cooling achieve reversible temperature changes through the mechanical deformation of functional materials. Compared to vapor-compression refrigeration, they have emerged as promising alternatives because of high efficiency, environmental compatibility, and structural flexibility. Among various cooling strategies, twistocaloric cooling has recently attracted growing attention owing to its large temperature changes under low driving stress through torsional deformation. Here, we summarize recent progress in flexible twistocaloric and elastocaloric materials and devices, covering shape memory alloys, elastomeric polymers, and other emerging polymers. We elucidate the cooling mechanisms from molecular levels and compare the cooling properties among kinds of cooling materials. Then, large- and small-scale cooling devices driven by twisting, uniaxial stretching, and hybrid deformation are clarified, and critical discussions on heat-transfer efficiency, mechanical stability, and scalability are emphasized. Finally, key challenges and future opportunities are outlined from material optimization, device engineering and multi-mode integration, and theoretical modeling perspectives, highlighting pathways toward compact, durable, and energy-efficient solid-state cooling technologies.
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Received: 24 December 2025
Revised: 08 April 2026
Accepted manuscript online: 20 April 2026
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PACS:
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81.05.Lg
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(Polymers and plastics; rubber; synthetic and natural fibers; organometallic and organic materials)
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65.40.De
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(Thermal expansion; thermomechanical effects)
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07.20.Mc
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(Cryogenics; refrigerators, low-temperature detectors, and other low-temperature equipment)
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84.60.Rb
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(Thermoelectric, electrogasdynamic and other direct energy conversion)
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| Fund: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 52225306, 52550003, 52350120, 52090034, 52461160302, 51973093, 51773094 and 22371300), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2022YFB3807103), Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University (Grant No. 63181206), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. 63171219), Beijing- Tianjin-Hebei Basic Research Cooperation Project (Grant No. J230023), Tianjin Science and Technology Program (Grant Nos. 25JCYBJC01420, 23JCZDJC00880, and 22JCYBJC01260), and Anhui Provincial Science and Technology Innovation Tackling Program (Grant No. 202423i08050057). We thank the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility of BL16B1 (https://cstr.cn/31124.02.SSRF.BL16B1) for the assistance on WAXS and SAXS measurements. Work at the University of Texas at Dallas was supported by a Robert A. Welch Foundation grant (AT-0029). |
Corresponding Authors:
Xiang Zhou, Zunfeng Liu
E-mail: zhouxiang@cpu.edu.cn;liuzunfeng@nankai.edu.cn
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Cite this article:
Ziqian Zhang(张子千), Xiang Zhou(周湘), and Zunfeng Liu(刘遵峰) A review from elasto- to twistocaloric cooling 2026 Chin. Phys. B 35 078102
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