Magnetocaloric materials: the search for new systems

TL;DR

This paper reviews the development of magnetocaloric materials for room-temperature magnetic refrigeration, highlighting the potential for discovering new systems through structural control and property optimization.

Contribution

It provides an Ashby-style map comparing magnetic refrigerant properties and identifies pathways for developing new magnetocaloric materials via structural engineering.

Findings

Comparison of materials with idealized transition limits

Potential for new materials through structural control

Guidelines for optimizing magnetocaloric properties

Abstract

The prospect of efficient solid state refrigeration at room temperature is driving research into magnetic cooling engine design and magnetic phase transition-based refrigerants. In this Viewpoint an Ashby-style map of magnetic refrigerant properties is constructed, comparing popular materials with limits derived from an idealised first order transition model. This comparison demonstrates the potential for new magnetocaloric material systems to be established through structural control and optimisation at the atomic-, nano- and micro-scale.