As global temperatures continue to climb, the demand for efficient and sustainable cooling solutions is becoming increasingly urgent. Traditional cooling systems, while effective, often consume significant amounts of energy, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating the very problem they seek to mitigate. This is where elastocalorics, a promising new technology, steps in as a game-changing solution. By leveraging the unique properties of certain materials to release and absorb heat under mechanical stress, elastocaloric technology offers a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional cooling methods.
Elastocalorics work by exploiting the elastocaloric effect, a phenomenon observed in certain solid-state materials that undergo significant temperature changes when subjected to stress, such as stretching or compressing. When these materials are mechanically manipulated, they can either absorb or release heat, depending on the nature of the stress applied. In practical terms, this means that elastocaloric systems can be used to transfer heat in a controlled manner, cooling spaces or objects with minimal energy input. Unlike traditional vapour-compression systems, which rely on refrigerants that are often harmful to the environment, elastocalorics use solid materials, making them a cleaner and safer option.
As cities grow denser and more populous, the strain on energy resources will only increase. Elastocaloric technology promises to alleviate some of this pressure by providing a highly efficient cooling mechanism that could be integrated into various urban applications, from residential air conditioning to industrial refrigeration. Furthermore, the reduction in energy consumption associated with elastocalorics could lead to a decrease in urban heat islands, a common issue in large cities where human activity and infrastructure cause localized temperature increases.
United States · University
Leading research institution in elastocaloric cooling, hosting the specialized Consortium for Elastocaloric Cooling to advance commercialization.
US Department of Energy lab leading the CaloriCool consortium.
Ireland · Startup
Develops thermal management engines using shape memory alloys (SMAs).
Germany · Research Lab
German research institute working on caloric systems for heating and cooling.
Denmark · University
DTU Energy conducts extensive research into magnetic and elastocaloric refrigeration technologies.
China · University
A leading Chinese research institution in the field of ferroelectrics and shape memory alloys for cooling.
Belgium · Government Agency
Major funding body for scientific research in the EU.
Memry Corporation
United States · Company
Manufacturer of Nitinol (nickel-titanium) components and shape memory alloys.
Manufacturer of precision wire and components, including Nitinol, used in medical and thermal applications.
Paper
Sub-zero Celsius elastocaloric cooling via low-transition-temperature alloysNature · Jan 14, 2026
Demonstrates the achievement of sub-zero Celsius temperatures using elastocaloric cooling with shape-memory alloys, overcoming a major limitation for freezing applications in sustainable refrigeration.
Paper
Sustainable all-solid elastocaloric cooler enabled by non-reciprocal heat transferNature Sustainability · Apr 28, 2025
This work establishes a framework for non-reciprocal heat transfer in solid-state elastocaloric cooling, offering an eco-friendly alternative to vapor-compression refrigeration.
Paper
Elastocaloric can cooler: an exemplary technology transfer to use case applicationFrontiers in Materials · Mar 24, 2025
Presents the development of an elastocaloric 'mini-fridge' can cooler operating under tensile load with air heat transfer, showcasing a concrete technology transfer to a consumer application.
Article
Investigation of elastocaloric cooling option in a solar energy-driven systemsciencedirect.com
The potential of elastocaloric cooling in solar energy systems is investigated. • Energy and exergy efficiencies of the present systems are evaluated and compared. • The COP threshold of the elastocaloric cooling device is evaluated. • Elastocaloric cooling outperforms standard cooling options if COP threshold is met.
Article
Future prospects for elastocaloric devicesiopscience.iop.org
Elastocaloric cooling (EC)is an alternative cooling technology that has been identified as having the potential to be more efficient than vapor compression systems. It is based on the elastocaloric effect, which is a change in temperature coupled to an applied uniaxial strain in materials such as NiTi alloys. Although EC is a promising technology for energy savings in the future, there are still challenges to be addressed if it is to be commercially successful. This paper gives a summary of the state of the art and recent developments in the area as well as perspectives on the most important challenges that must be met to make the technology commercial.
Article
On the cooling potential of elastocaloric devices for building ventilationsciencedirect.com
• An elastocaloric ventilation device is dynamically simulated for building cooling. • An optimized, energy-saving logic is tested, including recirculation and partialization. • Across 8 cities in the world, the device could cover up to 70% of the energy load. • Climate-sensitive design guidelines are provided along with technological constraints. • Terminal velocity, ventilation rate and depth are found to be pivotal design parameters.
Article
Elastocaloric cooling: roadmap towards successful implementation in the built environmentaimspress.com
In the pursuit of ever more efficient built environments, able to resiliently respond to the many implications of climate change, near room-temperature caloric cooling could be a game changer from multiple standpoints. In this paper, perspectives and challenges of successful implementation of elastocaloric devices in the built environment are explored by contrasting the current readiness level with the envisaged potentiality. Material-level and device-level criticalities are identified and potential solutions are discussed. The roadmap towards an informed and efficient use of this environmentally friendly technology is eventually proposed aiming at an increase of building’s energy efficiency, but also at counteracting the urban heat island effect.
Article
Elastocalorics technology could replace heat pumps, air conditioning systemsgreenbuildingafrica.co.za
In the pursuit of ever more efficient built environments, able to resiliently respond to the many implications of climate change, near room-temperature caloric cooling could be a game changer from multiple standpoints. In this paper, perspectives and challenges of successful implementation of elastocaloric devices in the built environment are explored by contrasting the current readiness level with the envisaged potentiality. Material-level and device-level criticalities are identified and potential solutions are discussed. The roadmap towards an informed and efficient use of this environmentally friendly technology is eventually proposed aiming at an increase of building’s energy efficiency, but also at counteracting the urban heat island effect.
Article
Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024 | World Economic Forumweforum.org
The Top 10 Emerging Technologies report is a vital source of strategic intelligence. First published in 2011, it draws on insights from scientists, researchers and futurists to identify 10 technologies poised to significantly influence societies and economies. These emerging technologiesare disruptive, attractive to investors and researchers, and expected to achieve considerable scale within five years. This edition expands its analysis by involving over 300 experts from the Forum’s Global Future Councils and a global network of comprising over 2,000 chief editors worldwide from top institutions through Frontiers, a leading publisher of academic research.
Article
Elastocalorics – cool into the futureanalyticalscience.wiley.com
In the age of increasing industrialization and general challenges of the changing global climate, the demand for cooling and heating energy is constantly growing. Building air conditioning alone will account for over 30% of global energy consumption in the coming years [1]. Conventional technologies cannot meet this demand; systems based on vapor compression processes deliver limited efficiencies and find it difficult to dispense with climate-damaging or hazardous refrigerants.
