Materials scientists at UCLA have created a compact cooling system capable of continuously dissipating heat using stacked thin films that flex dynamically. This innovation relies on the electrocaloric effect, where an electric field induces a temporary temperature change in a material.
In laboratory experiments, the prototype demonstrated the ability to lower ambient temperatures by 16 degrees Fahrenheit continuously, and up to 25 degrees at the heat source within 30 seconds.
The study, published in Science, highlights the potential applications of this technology in wearable cooling devices or portable cooling systems.
"Our ultimate aim is to create wearable cooling accessories that are comfortable, energy-efficient, and affordable—especially for individuals working long hours in extreme heat," said Qibing Pei, a professor of materials science and engineering at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. "With rising global temperatures due to climate change, managing heat is becoming a critical health challenge. This technology could be part of the solution."
The device consists of a circular stack of six polymer films, each less than an inch in diameter and a quarter-inch thick in total. Coated with carbon nanotubes, the films are ferroelectric, meaning they deform when exposed to an electric field.
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When activated, the electric field causes the layers to compress and expand in an alternating pattern. This accordion-like motion drives heat away, layer by layer, through a self-regenerative process.
"The polymer films utilize a circuit to transfer charges between stacked layers, making this cooling system more efficient than traditional air conditioners," explained Hanxiang Wu, co-lead author and postdoctoral scholar in Pei's lab.
Unlike conventional cooling systems that rely on energy-intensive vapor compression and carbon dioxide-based coolants, this device uses electricity exclusively, making it environmentally friendly. It has the added advantage of being compatible with renewable energy sources like solar power.
"This innovation merges advanced materials with a clever mechanical design to achieve energy-efficient cooling, reducing complexity and energy demands," said Wenzhong Yan, co-lead author and postdoctoral scholar in mechanical engineering.
Pei, who also leads the Soft Materials Research Laboratory at UCLA, has been exploring electrocaloric technologies for real-world applications. "Thin, flexible films make this ideal for wearable cooling under demanding conditions or even for cooling flexible electronic components," he added.
Sumanjeet Kaur, a materials scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and co-author of the study, emphasized the significance of this technology. "Efficient wearable cooling can drive energy savings and play a vital role in combating climate change," Kaur said.
UCLA has filed a patent application for this invention, which researchers believe could pave the way for next-generation cooling solutions.
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