Electrocaloric refrigeration: From physical fundamentals to practical devices

doi:10.1088/1674-1056/ae1f80

Abstract The electrocaloric (EC) effect refers to the change in the polarization entropy and/or temperature of dielectric materials when an electric field is applied and removed. EC refrigeration has received increasing interest as an alternative to conventional refrigeration technologies because it provides both high energy efficiency and zero global warming potential. In this review, we first introduce the thermodynamic fundamentals of the EC effect and the mechanism of EC refrigeration cycles. We then present recent advances in EC cooling technologies, from material improvements to device demonstrations, including a critical analysis of existing material and device characterization methodologies and a discussion of how to reliably measure the parameters of materials and devices. Finally, the current challenges and possible future prospects for EC cooling technology are outlined.

Keywords: electrocaloric effect refrigeration electrocaloric cooling devices electrocaloric materials

Received: 28 September 2025
Revised: 10 November 2025
Accepted manuscript online: 14 November 2025

PACS:	77.70.+a	(Pyroelectric and electrocaloric effects)
	77.84.-s	(Dielectric, piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and antiferroelectric materials)
	85.50.-n	(Dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric devices)
	07.20.-n	(Thermal instruments and apparatus)

Fund: This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant Nos. 2020YFA0711500 and 2020YFA0711503), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. T2488302, T2342010, and 52076127), the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai (Grant Nos. 20ZR1471700, 22JC1401800, and 24Z511405472), the State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration (Grant Nos. MSVZD202211, MSVZD202301, and MSVZD202401), Shanghai Jiao Tong University 2030 Initiative, Shanghai Jiao Tong University SiYuan Scholar Program, and the Student Innovation Center and the Instrumental Analysis Center at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. We acknowledge the support by Shanghai Jiao Tong University 2030 Initiative.

Corresponding Authors: Xiaoshi Qian, Tiannan Yang
E-mail: xsqian@sjtu.edu.cn;yangt@sjtu.edu.cn

Cite this article:

Feiyu Zhang(张费宇), Tiannan Yang(杨天南), and Xiaoshi Qian(钱小石) Electrocaloric refrigeration: From physical fundamentals to practical devices 2026 Chin. Phys. B 35 027701

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