Elastocalorics cooling?

[begreen]

This one is new to me. Has anyone been following this field?

The first part is intro to refrigeration the elastocalorics info starts at 6:05.

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[stoveliker]

In my understanding the longevity is problematic; the martensitic transition is never uniform, but always happens in domains. Given the unit cell volume (and symmetry) changes this introduces a lot of stress, and reversal often leads to grain boundaries that will become weak points as cycling goes on.

The argument of the UM professor (no hydrofluoro carbons) is valid, but is being met with other liquids.

Yet I think it's good that there is diversity in ideas so that magneto calorics gets a kick in the behind as they've struggled for decades with finding the right material (large hysteresis at the right temperature range and then often similar material longevity problems)

 

[stoveliker]

Also the need for a heavy mechanical structure (we're talking about straining materials after all) will eat into the lifecycle carbon budget by having a lot of metal processing up front as compared to conventional refrigeration.

 

[woodgeek]

Meh. I played with nitinol and its heating/cooling effects back in the 80s, when I was in high school.

I found the motivation (get rid of AGW refrigerants) rather lame. What is wrong with the new gen of propellants being rolled out?

Cycle life (fatigue) was mentioned as an issue, but not how bad it was... hmmm.

 

[EbS-P]

More and more the social media tech influencers that have sprung up are highlighting tech that if it even sees mass adoption is decades away from any commercialization. No where in that video (I watched it earlier this week so I may have forgotten something) did he address how many pounds of ellasto material is needed per ton of heat/cooling. It’s fat to be an easy calculation. Then tell me the cost of that material now and in the future.

The answer is here now. Build a tight structure AHC less than one. Insulate it really really well. And install solar and battery. Choose your favorite heatpump and a backup source.

These are not hard problems to solve. This video is wishful thinking by someone who has a formula for getting views. The YouTuber is pretty good. And has an above average understanding but a lot of his recent content I feel is lacking if his goal is to advocate for a more sustainable society.

 

[stoveliker]

Yes, I liked his "new home building" (and energy systems planning) videos better. They were more useful.
The level of this one is more like Sabine Hossenfelder, who I think 95% of the time talks about things she doesn't know sufficient about to talk about it in public. While she is often (too?) negative about things, this guy is often (too?) positive.

Though to be fair, if it inspires young folks to think out of the box that they know, it's okay. (box *they know* because nitinol was already looked at for elastocaloric properties in the early 90s (and possibly before that) when I did my MSc in matsci - and appropriately discarded for that purpose at the time - it's a nice demonstration tool for some concepts in class though).

 

[EbS-P]

Well said. I’m not sure who would find his new videos inspiring. I’m kinda a loss of how to inspire the next generation. Last semester I did not require attendance a recorded all my lectures at 8:00 am (algebra physics). Exams scores were terrible. The 6-9 students out of class of 90 were engaged. Required art this semester. Ufff it’s been a real downer to see all the sad, disinterested faces not paying attention. This guy isn’t helping that in anyway