Giant solid-state barocaloric effect in the Ni-Mn-In magnetic shape-memory alloy

Area of Science:

• Materials Physics
• Thermodynamics
• Solid-State Chemistry

Background:

• The quest for efficient, room-temperature caloric materials is crucial for developing sustainable cooling technologies, moving away from hazardous refrigerant gases.
• Giant magnetocaloric materials have shown promise for refrigeration, but their application is often limited by operating temperatures.
• Caloric effects, involving isothermal entropy changes via external fields, are being explored through various stimuli like pressure and electric fields.

Discussion:

• This study demonstrates a substantial barocaloric effect in a magnetic shape-memory alloy under moderate hydrostatic pressure.
• The observed barocaloric effect magnitude is comparable to giant magnetocaloric effects in similar materials.
• This highlights pressure as a viable tuning parameter for inducing significant caloric effects.

Key Insights:

• Magnetic shape-memory alloys exhibit significant barocaloric effects near room temperature.
• Hydrostatic pressure can induce a caloric effect comparable to giant magnetocaloric phenomena.
• The findings suggest a new avenue for developing advanced, environmentally friendly cooling systems.

Outlook:

• Further investigation into barocaloric effects in various giant-magnetocaloric materials undergoing magnetostructural transitions is warranted.
• This research could pave the way for novel solid-state cooling devices utilizing pressure-driven entropy changes.
• The development of practical barocaloric cooling systems may offer a sustainable alternative to conventional refrigeration.