Low-Cost Elastocaloric Heat Pump

Description

1. Why this topic?

Cooling and refrigeration already consume a large share of the world’s electricity, and demand is only growing. To meet this challenge, new technologies are needed that are more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.

Elastocaloric cooling is a promising alternative: it uses solid materials that heat up and cool down under mechanical stress instead of harmful refrigerants. In particular, polymer films combine low cost with excellent heat transfer properties, making them a strong candidate for the next generation of green cooling technologies.

2. What you will do

In this project, you will have the opportunity to:

- Explore the thermal and mechanical behavior of novel polymer films.
- Design and build a small-scale cooling demonstrator using these materials.
- Evaluate and optimize system performance through experiments.

3. Why join?

This project is hands-on, interdisciplinary, and future-oriented. You will gain experience in materials characterization, mechanical and thermal system design, and prototype development — skills that are highly valued in both academia and industry.

Working at the Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT), you will have access to excellent infrastructure, including:

- A 600 m² cleanroom,
- Prototyping equipment (3D printers, laser cutters),
- Advanced laboratories for materials and system testing.

You will receive close supervision, opportunities to present your results, and the chance to contribute to scientific publications.

4. Who should apply?

This project is a great fit if you are motivated, curious, and eager to work on technologies that could shape the future of sustainable cooling. Students from mechanical engineering, materials science, chemical engineering, physics, or related fields are welcome.