Design and Fabrication of a Magnetocaloric Microcooler

Kim, Sangchae; Bethala, Bharath; Ghirlanda, Simone L.; Sambandam, S.; Bhansali, Shekhar

doi:10.1115/imece2005-82720

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 10 publications

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“…This paper explores the microfabrication of a magnetocaloric refrigerator. Miniaturized coolers have been a subject of intense research and development in the recent past (Pekola et al, 2000;Zeng et al, 2001;Kim et al, 2005). Developing coolers at a micro-scale that can operate at low temperatures continues to be a challenge.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design, fabrication and thermal characterization of a magnetocaloric microcooler

Kim

Ghirlanda

Adams

et al. 2007

Int. J. Energy Res.

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SUMMARYMagnetocaloric cooling is an alternative, high-efficiency cooling technology. In this paper, we present the design and fabrication of a micromachined magnetocaloric cooler and demonstrate its ability to work in a small magnetic field ð51:2 TÞ with a cooling test. The cooler was built by fabricating Si microfluidic channels, and it was integrated with a Gd 5 ðSi 2 Ge 2 Þ magnetocaloric refrigeration element. The magnetic properties of the Gd 5 ðSi 2 Ge 2 Þ material were characterized to calculate the magnetic entropy change at different ambient temperatures. Three different methods to integrate the channel layer and the magnetocaloric element were evaluated to test sealing and cooling performance. The cooling tests were performed by providing a magnetic field using an electromagnet. A test jig was constructed between the poles of an electromagnet to maintain a steady temperature during the test. Cooling tests were performed on the magnetocaloric element at ambient temperatures ranging from 258 to 280 K using a magnetic field of 1.2 T. Experimental results showed a maximum temperature change of 7 K on the magnetocaloric element alone at an ambient temperature of 258 K. Cooling tests of the fully integrated coolers were also performed. A solution of anti-freeze fluid (propylene glycol) and water was used as the coolant. The temperature of the working fluid decreased by 4.6 and 9 K for the glass and Si intermediate layers, respectively, confirming that the thermal conductivity of the materials is also an important factor in cooler performance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design, fabrication and thermal characterization of a magnetocaloric microcooler

Kim

Ghirlanda

Adams

et al. 2007

Int. J. Energy Res.

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Simulation and Experimental Validation of a Magnetocaloric Microcooler

Ghirlanda

Kim

Hernandez

et al. 2006

Heat Transfer, Volume 3

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This research focuses on the simulation and experimental test and validation of a magnetocaloric microcooler that works under a small magnetic field obtainable by an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. The numerical simulation model of the cooler was constructed by finite element method. Three different kinds of bonded channel layers were used. The temperature change of the working fluid in the cooler was analyzed. The results from the simulation showed a clear fluid temperature difference between the outlet and inlet of the channel (ΔT) of 11 °C while the fluid average temperature ≈ 7.01 °C at the outlet of the microcooler. The microcooler was fabricated using the MEMS processes, and experimental setup was developed for testing of the microcooler. The cooling test was performed for coolers with different channel layers – only micro channel wafer, microchannels in Si-Si fusion bonded wafers and microchannels in glass-Si anodic bonded wafers. Simulated and experimental results of the cooler demonstrate the effect of the materials that were used for microchannels and intermediate plates, on the cooling characteristics.

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Design and Fabrication of a Magnetocaloric Microcooler

Cited by 2 publications

References 10 publications

Design, fabrication and thermal characterization of a magnetocaloric microcooler

Design, fabrication and thermal characterization of a magnetocaloric microcooler

Simulation and Experimental Validation of a Magnetocaloric Microcooler

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