Energy-Efficient Elastocaloric Cooling by Flexibly and Reversibly Transferring Interface in Magnetic Shape-Memory Alloys
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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Experimental Methods for Investigation of Shape Memory Based Elastocaloric Cooling Processes and Model Validation
Published on: May 2, 2016
Yang Li1, Dewei Zhao1,2, Jian Liu1,2
1CAS Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Devices, and Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Magnetic Materials and Application Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Ningbo 315201 , China.
Abstract:
Elastocaloric cooling is currently under extensive study owing to its great potential to replace the conventional vapor-compression technique. In this work, by employing multiscale characterization approaches, including in situ neutron diffraction in a loading frame, in situ transmission electron microscopy observation at different temperatures, in situ synchrotron X-ray Laue microdiffraction, and high-resolution infrared thermal imaging, we have investigated the thermal and stress-induced martensitic transformation, the stability of superelastic behavior and the associated elastocaloric effect for a Heusler-type Ni50.0Fe19.0Ga27.1Co3.9 single crystal. On the basis of transformation from cubic austenite into monoclinic martensite with a flexibly and reversibly transferring interface, this unique single crystal exhibits a giant elastocaloric effect of 11 K and ultralow fatigue behavior during above 12 000 mechanical cycles. The numerical simulation shows that the Ni50.0Fe19.0Ga27.1Co3.9 alloy offers 18% energy saving potential and 70% cooling capacity enhancement potential compared to the conventional shape-memory nitinol alloy in a single-stage elastocaloric cooling system, making it a great candidate for energy-efficient air conditioner applications.
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