Strategic Optimization of Electrocaloric Cooling: From Material Design to Device Innovation

Abstract

Electrocaloric cooling technology, empowered by the breakthrough discovery of the giant electrocaloric effect in dielectric materials over ten years ago, has evolved into a promising solid-state refrigeration solution distinguished by zero global warming potential and exceptional energy efficiency. This review comprehensively discusses the fundamental mechanisms of electrocaloric effect, recent advancements in electrocaloric materials, and breakthroughs in electrocaloric cooling devices. Distinctively, this review systematically summarizes existing regulation strategies for optimizing electrocaloric performance, encompassing compositional engineering, interface effects, size engineering, and multi-field coupling effects to enhance adiabatic temperature changes, reduce driving electric fields, and broaden operational temperature spans. Furthermore, current electrocaloric material systems are critically reviewed, with an in-depth analysis of how machine learning accelerates the exploration and systematic refinement of electrocaloric materials. Finally, a classification framework for existing electrocaloric cooling prototypes is established to guide the development of next-generation high-efficiency cooling devices. Ultimately, this review addresses present challenges and future prospects in electrocaloric cooling technology. This review provides conceptual guidance for researchers, accelerating the development of electrocaloric materials and broadening the application fields of electrocaloric devices.