Unconventional Actuation for Advanced Elastocaloric Cooling
- Research topic/area
- Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, physics and related programs of study
- Type of thesis
- Master
- Start time
- 01.04.2026
- Application deadline
- 31.12.2026
- Duration of the thesis
- 6 Months
Description
Heating and cooling account for approx. 40% of the total energy demand in Europe. While current cooling technologies rely heavily on greenhouse gases, elastocaloric cooling utilizes solid-state refrigerants like smart shape-memory alloys (SMAs), offering a highly promising alternative for net-zero emission thermal management.To achieve efficient energy conversion, regenerative elastocaloric cooling typically uses heat transfer fluids flowing through regenerators with a large surface area. This project aims to develop an innovative, heat-driven elastocaloric cooling system. Instead of relying on traditional loading methods, we will explore unconventional mechanical actuation strategies applied to hierarchically structured SMA assemblies (made of superplastic Ni-Ti). This unique combination is designed to significantly optimize structural stability, heat transfer efficiency, and device fatigue life.Powered by sustainable sources such as low-grade industrial waste heat or solar thermal energy, this system targets zero-emission cooling and heat-pumping. The concept can be applied across various fields, from microchip thermal management to electric vehicles and domestic cooling.This project gives you the opportunity to work directly on next-generation green energy technologies and smart material micro-fabrication. Excellent work may also lead to a co-authored journal or conference publication.To support your research, the IMT provides state-of-the-art facilities (including a 600 m² clean room, 3D printing, laser cutting, and comprehensive metrology labs). Intensive supervision will be provided to ensure your work can be successfully completed within the 6-month timeframe.Requirement
- Requirements for students
-
- Your Tasks:
- • Characterization of SMA properties (Mechanical, thermal, fatigue) under alternative actuation modes;
- • Model the new architectures and fluid dynamics (FEM, Matlab, etc.);
- • Prototype development: Fabrication, build the device, performance tests
- Faculty departments
-
- Engineering sciences
Electrical engineering & information technologies
Mechanical engineering
Material sciences & engineering
Energy Engineering and Management
- Engineering sciences
Supervision
- Title, first name, last name
- Kun Wang
- Organizational unit
- Institute of Microstructure Technology, IMT
- Email address
- kun.wang@kit.edu
- Link to personal homepage/personal page
- Website
Application via email
- Application documents
-
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
E-Mail Address for application
Senden Sie die oben genannten Bewerbungsunterlagen bitte per Mail an kun.wang@kit.edu
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