Pyroelectric/electrocaloric energy scanvenging and cooling capabilities in ferroelectric materials

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Guyomar, D.^{a; *} | Sebald, G.^a

Affiliations: [a] Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et de Ferroélectricité, INSA de Lyon, 8 rue de la physique, 69621 Villeurbanne cedex, France

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author. E-mail: daniel.guyomar@insa-lyon.fr

Abstract: In this paper, we investigated the Electrothermal conversion of ferroelectric materials. The key parameters for cooling and energy scavenging were identified: n the framework of pyroelectric energy harvesting, first results using SSD technique showed a magnification of the voltage by a factor of 2. We believed that the use of films could increase the power by a factor of 10–100. Currents works with PVDF films is being held in the laboratory. In the framework of electrocaloric refrigeration, we believe that ultrahigh efficiency cooling devices may be designed. However, the main limitation now is the maximal temperature of 1–2 K controllable by the electric field. Further work with small thicknesses (fibres, thin and thick films) will be interesting due to the very high possible electric fields.

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2009-1045

Journal: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 41-46, 2009