Electrocaloric Polymers

Abstract

When an electric field is applied to a dielectric material, it will induce a change in the material’s polarization. The consequent changes in the entropy and/or temperature of the material are referred to as the electrocaloric effect (ECE). The ECE may provide an efficient means to realize solid-state cooling devices for a broad range of applications such as on chip cooling and temperature regulation for sensors and electronic devices, provided that materials with large ECE can be developed. Refrigeration based on the ECE approach is more environmentally friendly and hence may also provide an alternative to the existing vapor-compression approach.