Demonstration of liquid crystal for barocaloric cooling application

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that liquid crystal, as a liquid barocaloric material, shows promise for environmentally friendly, efficient cooling near room temperature due to its large entropy change and low stress requirements.

Contribution

It introduces liquid crystal as a novel liquid barocaloric material suitable for cooling applications, highlighting its advantages over solid caloric materials.

Findings

Large entropy change (~200 J.K-1.kg-1) near room temperature.

Requires small stress (tens of MPa) for phase transition.

No breakage issues due to liquid form.

Abstract

Current vapor-compression technology is based on the gas-liquid transition of hazardous gas. The alternative cooling technology focuses on the solid caloric material. A new liquid barocaloric material, i.e. the liquid crystal, is proved to be potential for cooling application primarily (based on other literatures). Its phase transition needs a small stress (tens of MPa) and can be operated near room temperature. It has a large entropy change of ~200 J.K-1.kg-1 (0.2 J.K-1.cm-1). There is no breakage problem due to its liquid form. It will provide the advantage for some unique cooling application cases comparing with solid caloric material. Moreover, this material is sustainable and non-toxic, which can meet the original intention of the alternative cooling technology.