Elastocaloric cooling: roadmap towards successful implementation in the built environment

Abstract

In the pursuit of ever more efficient built environments, able to resiliently respond to the many implications of climate change, near room-temperature caloric cooling could be a game changer from multiple standpoints. In this paper, perspectives and challenges of successful implementation of elastocaloric devices in the built environment are explored by contrasting the current readiness level with the envisaged potentiality. Material-level and device-level criticalities are identified and potential solutions are discussed. The roadmap towards an informed and efficient use of this environmentally friendly technology is eventually proposed aiming at an increase of building’s energy efficiency, but also at counteracting the urban heat island effect.

Keywords

• elastocaloric effect
• solid state cooling
• built environment
• energy
• urban heat island
• climate resilience
• shape memory alloy
• advanced materials
• integrated design
• short-lived climate pollutants