An integrated elastocaloric refrigerator for subzero operation at −60 °C

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Abstract
Elastocaloric cooling is considered a leading alternative to traditional vapor-compression refrigeration. While current research has primarily focused on room-temperature applications, elastocaloric technology holds significant potential for low-temperature solid-state refrigeration. This study develops the first elastocaloric refrigerator operating below −60 °C. The refrigerator features a compact design driven by a single power source that manages the loading and unloading of shape memory alloy ribbon. A synchronized linkage mechanism regulates contact between the ribbon and the heat source/sink, facilitating efficient solid–solid contact heat transfer. By employing a TiNiCuNb quaternary alloy specifically designed for low-temperature superelasticity and elastocaloric response, with the ambient environment precooled from room temperature to −60 °C in an environmental simulation chamber, the system achieves a temperature span of 8.5 K under adiabatic conditions and a pull-down temperature of 4.8 K when rejecting heat at −60 °C, with a maximum cooling power of 5.9 W at zero temperature span. These mechanical innovations demonstrate the viability of elastocaloric cooling at low temperatures, offering valuable insights for future advancements in elastocaloric refrigeration technology.

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