An advanced refrigerator/heat pump (R/HP) will be developed based on the electrocaloric effect. The project is a spinoff of research on pyroelectric energy generation sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and DOE. The electrocaloric system will be smaller and lighter than similarly rated refrigerators based on conventional technology. Other advantages th,.-it the electrocaloric technology offers include safety, high efficiency, high reliability, long life, and no chlorofluorocarbon release problems. The first objective of Phase I is to obtain direct thermodynamic data on a specific electrocaloric material relating to refrigeration and heat pumping. The reversible adiabatic temperature change induced by an applied electric field will be measured. This quantity, when combined with the heat capacity, will indicate the amount of heat that can be reversibly absorbed from a thermal load. The second objective of Phase I is to design and estimate the performance of the Phase 11 electrocaloric R/HP.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:In addition to their use in refrigeration/heat pumping/air conditioning systems, electrocaloric materials are expected to economically convert low temperature industrial waste heat into electrical energy (capital cost less than $1,000/kW).
