Output details

Microscopic theory of the electrocaloric effect in the paraelectric phase of potassium dihydrogen phosphate

Electrocaloric materials are studied for solid-state cooling devices for electronic components. This is the first successful rigorous microscopic theory of the electrocaloric effect in any material. The output is the result of collaboration between leading groups in the UK, Canada and Finland. The theoretical analysis indicated a new method to analyse the electrocaloric effect in crystals. The work has had a very significant response from the scientific community and has been widely cited. The research offers significant potential for space saving and higher energy efficiency, and the RAC group at LSBU, with others, are seeking ways to exploit the results.