Magnetic Refrigeration Material Composition for Wide-Range Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic refrigeration materials with a wide operating temperature range and large magnetic entropy change are needed to improve refrigeration efficiency and reduce the number of materials required for magnetic refrigeration systems, as existing Gd-containing and LaFeSi materials have limitations in Curie temperature and refrigeration performance.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic refrigeration material with the composition La1-fREf(Fe1-a-b-c-d-eSiaCobXcYdZe)13, where RE is a rare earth element, X is Ga or Al, Y is Ge, Sn, B, or C, and Z is Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, or Zr, with specific content ranges and an average crystal grain size of 0.01-3 μm, achieving a Curie temperature above 250 K and a maximum magnetic entropy change of 5 J/kgK under a 2 Tesla field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If Gd-containing materials are used as magnetic refrigeration materials, then a wide operating temperature range is achieved, but the magnetic entropy change is small and the material is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by substituting specific elements (Co, Al, Ga, Ge, Sn, B, C, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, or Zn) at defined ratios in the LaFeSi-based compound. This compositional parameter optimization enables the material to achieve both a wide operating temperature range (20-150K) and large magnetic entropy change (≥5 J/kgK), resolving the contradiction between temperature range and magnetic entropy change magnitude.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite magnetic refrigeration material by combining LaFeSi-based compound with multiple substitution elements. This composite approach integrates the advantages of different elements: LaFeSi provides the base structure with wide temperature range, while Co substitution enhances magnetic entropy change, and other elements (Al, Ga, Ge, Sn, B, C, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn) fine-tune the properties to achieve both wide operating range and large magnetic entropy change simultaneously.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple kinds of materials with different operating temperature ranges are used, then the magnetic entropy change performance is maintained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal magnetic refrigeration material composition (LaFeSi-based with multiple substitution elements) that can simultaneously provide large magnetic entropy change and wide operating temperature range (20-150K). This single-material solution replaces the need for multiple specialized materials with different operating ranges, reducing system complexity while maintaining or improving magnetic entropy change performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The material provides enhanced refrigeration performance with a wide operating temperature range and high relative cooling power, reducing the number of materials needed for different applications and improving efficiency compared to conventional materials.
Implementation Method 1
utilizes magnetic entropy change occurred when the magnetic order of the magnetic material is changed by magnetic field under isothermal conditions
Implementation Method 2
adiabatic temperature change occurred when the magnetic order of the magnetic material is changed by magnetic field under adiabatic conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a magnetic refrigeration material represented by the formula La1-fREf(Fe1-a-b-c-d-eSiaCobXcYdZe)13 (RE: at least one of rare earth elements including Sc and Y and excluding La; X: Ga and/or Al; Y: at least one of Ge, Sn, B, and C; Z: at least one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Zr; 0.03≦a≦0.17, 0.003≦b≦0.06, 0.02≦c≦0.10, 0≦d≦0.04, 0≦e≦0.04, 0≦f≦0.50), and having an average crystal grain size of not smaller than 0.01 μm and not larger than 3 μm, a Curie temperature of not lower than 250 K, and the maximum (−ΔSmax) of magnetic entropy change (−ΔSM) when subjected to a field change up to 2 Tesla is not less than 5 J/kgK.