Provided is a magnetic refrigeration device, including a first assembly and a second assembly, herein the second assembly is an annular assembly, the first assembly is located on a radial outer side or a radial inner side of the second assembly, the first assembly is a first magnet assembly, the second assembly is provided with an air gap space capable of accommodating a magnetic working medium bed, the first assembly is configured to rotate relative to the second assembly, and directions of a magnetic line of force of the first magnet assembly are distributed in the circumferential direction of the annular second assembly.

Provided is a magnetic refrigeration device, including a first assembly and a second assembly, herein the second assembly is an annular assembly, the first assembly is located on a radial outer side or a radial inner side of the second assembly, the first assembly is a first magnet assembly, the second assembly is provided with an air gap space capable of accommodating a magnetic working medium bed, the first assembly is configured to rotate relative to the second assembly, and directions of a magnetic line of force of the first magnet assembly are distributed in the circumferential direction of the annular second assembly.

An electrocaloric module includes an electrocaloric element that includes an electrocaloric film, a first electrode on a first surface of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode on a second surface of the electrocaloric film. A support is attached along an edge portion of the electrocaloric film, leaving a central portion of the electrocaloric film unsupported film. At least one of the first and second electrodes includes a patterned disposition of conductive material on the film surface. The electrocaloric module also includes a first thermal connection configured to connect to a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric element and a heat sink, a second thermal connection configured to connect to a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric element and a heat source, and a power connection connected to the first and second electrodes and configured to connect to a power source.

An electrocaloric module includes an electrocaloric element that includes an electrocaloric film, a first electrode on a first surface of the electrocaloric film, and a second electrode on a second surface of the electrocaloric film. A support is attached along an edge portion of the electrocaloric film, leaving a central portion of the electrocaloric film unsupported film. At least one of the first and second electrodes includes a patterned disposition of conductive material on the film surface. The electrocaloric module also includes a first thermal connection configured to connect to a first thermal flow path between the electrocaloric element and a heat sink, a second thermal connection configured to connect to a second thermal flow path between the electrocaloric element and a heat source, and a power connection connected to the first and second electrodes and configured to connect to a power source.

A storage container includes a body defining a first opening at a top of the body, a second opening at a bottom of the body, and a space between the first opening and the second opening, a cover configured to open or close the first opening, the cover including an insulation material to thermally insulate the space from an outside of the body, a housing disposed in the space to store items, a thermoelectric element disposed in the second opening, the thermoelectric element including a heat-absorbing surface and a heat-emitting surface, a heat-absorbing heat exchanger that surrounds the housing, contacts the heat-absorbing surface, and is configured to transfer heat from the housing to the heat-absorbing surface, a heat transfer part configured to transfer heat generated from the heat-emitting surface to a wall of the body, and a heat-dissipating part configured to dissipate heat from the heat transfer part.

A storage container includes a body defining a first opening at a top of the body, a second opening at a bottom of the body, and a space between the first opening and the second opening, a cover configured to open or close the first opening, the cover including an insulation material to thermally insulate the space from an outside of the body, a housing disposed in the space to store items, a thermoelectric element disposed in the second opening, the thermoelectric element including a heat-absorbing surface and a heat-emitting surface, a heat-absorbing heat exchanger that surrounds the housing, contacts the heat-absorbing surface, and is configured to transfer heat from the housing to the heat-absorbing surface, a heat transfer part configured to transfer heat generated from the heat-emitting surface to a wall of the body, and a heat-dissipating part configured to dissipate heat from the heat transfer part.

The present disclosure provides stable elastocaloric cooling materials and methods for producing and using the same. Elastocaloric cooling materials of the present disclosure are capable of withstanding 10.sup.6 cycles. In some embodiments, elastocaloric cooling materials of the present disclosure comprise a mixture of a transforming alloy and a non-transforming intermetallic phase at a ratio of from about 30-70% transforming alloy to about 70%-30% of non-transforming intermetallic phase.

The present disclosure provides stable elastocaloric cooling materials and methods for producing and using the same. Elastocaloric cooling materials of the present disclosure are capable of withstanding 10.sup.6 cycles. In some embodiments, elastocaloric cooling materials of the present disclosure comprise a mixture of a transforming alloy and a non-transforming intermetallic phase at a ratio of from about 30-70% transforming alloy to about 70%-30% of non-transforming intermetallic phase.

The invention is for an apparatus and method for a refrigerator and a heat pump based on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) offering a simpler, lighter, robust, more compact, environmentally compatible, and energy efficient alternative to traditional vapor-compression devices. The subject magnetocaloric apparatus alternately exposes portions of an MCE material to strong and weak magnetic field while coordinating the heat flow between the exposed portions by heat bridges to move the heat up the thermal gradient. The invention may be practiced with multiple MCE material portions or segments to attain large differences in temperature. Key applications include thermal management of electronics, as well as industrial and home refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning. The invention offers a simpler, lighter, compact, and robust apparatus compared to magnetocaloric devices of prior art. Furthermore, the invention may be run in reverse as a thermodynamic engine, receiving low-level heat and producing mechanical energy.

The invention is for an apparatus and method for a refrigerator and a heat pump based on the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) offering a simpler, lighter, robust, more compact, environmentally compatible, and energy efficient alternative to traditional vapor-compression devices. The subject magnetocaloric apparatus alternately exposes portions of an MCE material to strong and weak magnetic field while coordinating the heat flow between the exposed portions by heat bridges to move the heat up the thermal gradient. The invention may be practiced with multiple MCE material portions or segments to attain large differences in temperature. Key applications include thermal management of electronics, as well as industrial and home refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning. The invention offers a simpler, lighter, compact, and robust apparatus compared to magnetocaloric devices of prior art. Furthermore, the invention may be run in reverse as a thermodynamic engine, receiving low-level heat and producing mechanical energy.