Magnetocaloric energy conversion
Magnetocaloric energy conversion
Magnetocaloric prototype components
Electromagnet assembly
Electronics for the electromagnet
13.06.2019Strojna fakulteta – Laboratorij za hlajenje in daljinsko energetikoFoto: Barbara Reya/barbarareya.si
Active magnetic regenerator
3D AMR model
LaFeCoSi layer in an AMR
State of the art
- Ability to cool or refrigerate utilizing magnetocaloric materials and magnets.
- Used in display cabinets, wine coolers, heat pumps, etc.
- Parallel plate or packed bed active magnetic regenerators (AMRs).
Our focus
- Design and optimization of magnetocaloric prototypes
- Numerical and experimental optimization of key components (AMR, magnets, peripheral systems)
- Design and optimization of AMRs
- Numerical and experimental optimization of ACRs
Alternative refrigeration technologies
We focus on developing new, alternative technologies rooted in solid-state physics, with a particular emphasis on ferroic cooling. Within this field, our primary efforts are directed toward the development and optimization of magnetocaloric, electrocaloric, and elastocaloric cooling devices. In this domain, our engineering research laboratory is recognized as one of the leading groups worldwide.
One of our flagship projects is the development of a magnetocaloric wine cooler, in collaboration with the Slovenian home appliance manufacturer Gorenje. A key advantage of this prototype over current state-of-the-art systems is the use of a fully static, rare-earth-free magnetic field source with magnetic energy recovery — a technology we developed in-house and reported in the high-impact journal Applied Energy.
In 2015, we published a comprehensive book titled Magnetocaloric Energy Conversion: From Theory to Applications with the international publisher Springer. This work is among the first dedicated to the field of magnetocalorics and remains a key reference in the area.
Experts in the field
Prof. Dr. Andrej Kitanovski
Dr. Urban Tomc
Dr. Darja Gačnik
Dr. Katja Klinar
Dr. Radel Gimaev
Dr. Nada Petelin
Dr. Oumayma Chdil
Katja Vozel
Kamyar Dobakhti
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- KITANOVSKI, Andrej, TUŠEK, Jaka, TOMC, Urban, PLAZNIK, Uroš, OŽBOLT, Marko, POREDOŠ, Alojz. Magnetocaloric energy conversion : from theory to applications. Cham [etc.]: Springer, cop. 2015. XX, 456 str., ilustr. Green energy and technology. ISBN 978-3-319-08740-5, ISBN 978-3-319-08741-2. ISSN 1865-3529. DOI: 1007/978-3-319-08741-2. [COBISS.SI-ID 13844763]
- KLINAR, Katja, MUÑOZ ROJO, Miguel, KUTNJAK, Zdravko, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. Toward a solid-state thermal diode for room-temperature magnetocaloric energy conversion. Journal of applied physics. 2020, vol. 127, no. 23, str. 234101-1-234101-10. ISSN 0021-8979. Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani – RUL, DOI: 10.1063/5.0006120. [COBISS.SI-ID 19703299]KLINAR, Katja, MUÑOZ ROJO, Miguel, KUTNJAK, Zdravko, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. Toward a solid-state thermal diode for room-temperature magnetocaloric energy conversion. Journal of applied physics. 2020, vol. 127, no. 23, str. 234101-1-234101-10. ISSN 0021-8979. Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani – RUL, DOI: 1063/5.0006120. [COBISS.SI-ID 19703299]
- VOZEL, Katja, KLINAR, Katja, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. Protocol to evaluate a (magneto)caloric device with static thermal switches using a 1D numerical model. STAR protocols. Sep. 2022, vol. 3, iss. 3, str. 1-14, ilustr. ISSN 2666-1667. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666166722004567, Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani – RUL, DOI: 1016/j.xpro.2022.101576. [COBISS.SI-ID 116343555]
- PETELIN, Nada, VOZEL, Katja, KLINAR, Katja, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. The numerical study on performance evaluation of a thermal switch capacitor in a magnetocaloric cooling device. iScience. [Online ed.]. Dec. 2022, vol. 25, iss. 12, str. 1-20, ilustr. ISSN 2589-0042. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004222017898, Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani – RUL, DOI: 1016/j.isci.2022.105517. [COBISS.SI-ID 130246147]
- PETELIN, Nada, VOZEL, Katja, KLINAR, Katja, TOMC, Urban, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. Evaluation of the performance of a thermal switch capacitor in a magnetocaloric device. In: Refrigeration science and technology proceedings : 26th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration, Paris, France, August 21-25, 2023. Paris: Institut international du froid = International Institute of Refrigeration, 2023. Vol. 2, str. 103-112, ilustr. Science et technique du froid. ISBN 978-2-36215-056-2. ISSN 0151-1637. [COBISS.SI-ID 167805699]
- REGIS DE MORAES, Victor, ŠADL, Matej, BRENNECKA, Geoff, BRADEŠKO, Andraž, TOMC, Urban, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana. Investigation of structural and electrical properties of Al2O3/Al composites prepared by aerosol co-deposition. Crystals. May 2023, vol. 13, iss. 5, str. 1-12, ilustr. ISSN 2073-4352. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/13/5/850, DOI: 10.3390/cryst13050850. [COBISS.SI-ID 152943619]
- Quim Badosa, Lluís Mañosa, Eduard Vives, Antoni Planes, Bruno Weise, Lukas Beyer, Enric Stern-Taulats; Demagnetizing field-induced magnetocaloric effect in Gd. J. Appl. Phys. 21 September 2023; 134 (11): 113902. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0161334
- Simon Nosan, Urban Tomc, Jernej Klemenc, Andrej Kitanovski. Design and comparison of electro-permanent magnetic field sources for magnetocaloric heat pumps. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials. Oct. 2023, vol. 584, str. 1-11. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2023.171121
- Lünser, K., Kavak, E., Gürpinar, K., Emre B., Atakola O., Stern-Taulats E., Porta M., Planes A., Lovare P., Tamarit J.-L., Mañosa L. Elastocaloric, barocaloric and magnetocaloric effects in spin crossover polymer composite films. Nat Commun 15, 6171 (2024).
- VELKAVRH, Blaž, TOMC, Urban, ŠADL, Matej, REGIS DE MORAES, Victor, KOBLAR, Maja, COLARIČ, Bianka, KITANOVSKI, Andrej, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana. Preparation of dielectric layers for applications in digital microfluidic thermal switches. Informacije MIDEM. [Spletna izd.]. 2024, vol. 54, no. 3, str. 1-8, DOI: 10.33180/InfMIDEM2024.305
- VOZEL, Katja, KLINAR, Katja, PETELIN, Nada, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. TCCbuilder : an open-source tool for the analysis of thermal switches, thermal diodes, thermal regulators, and thermal control circuits. iScience. [Online ed.]. 2024, vol. 27, iss. 12, [art.] 111263, str. 1-15, ilustr. ISSN 2589-0042. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258900422402488X, Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani – RUL, DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111263. [COBISS.SI-ID 213537795]
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- URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana. Caloric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-based and Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2O3-based materials for various applications. V: Calorics 2022 : Monday 12 – Wednesday 14, September 2022, Cambridge, UK : book of abstracts. [S. l.]: European research Council = ERC. 2022, str. [8]. [COBISS.SI-ID 122383107]
- TOMC, Urban, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana, REGIS DE MORAES, Victor, VELKAVRH, Blaž, MAÑOSA, Lluís, FREUDENBERGER, Jens, WEISE, Bruno, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. Digital microfluidic thermal switch in magnetocaloric cooling. V: 2023 MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibition : April 10-14, 2023, San Francisco, California, virtual. [Warrendale (PA): Materials Research Society, 2023]. Str. 1. https://www.mrs.org/meetings-events/presentation/2023_mrs_spring_meeting/3835811-202304120845. [COBISS.SI-ID 151427331]
- URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana, ŠADL, Matej, PRAH, Uroš, REGIS DE MORAES, Victor, SARKAR, Ankita, ROJAC, Tadej, JAZBEC, Anže, SNOJ, Luka, OTONIČAR, Mojca, MALIČ, Barbara. 0.9Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 for various cooling applications. V: EMA 2023 : Basic Science and Electronic Materials Meeting : January 17%20, 2023, Orlando, Florida, USA. Westerville: The American Ceramic Society, 2023, 1 spletni vir. https://ceramics.org/event/ema-2023-basic-science-and-electronic-materials-meeting-archive. [COBISS.SI-ID 149964035]
- REGIS DE MORAES, Victor, ŠADL, Matej, BRENNECKA, Geoff, BRADEŠKO, Andraž, TOMC, Urban, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana. Preparation of Al2O3/Al composite thick films via aerosol deposition. V: KUZMIĆ, Nina (ur.), et al. 15th Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School Students’ Conference, 31st May – 2nd June 2023, Kamnik, Slovenia : Book of abstracts. Ljubljana: Jožef Stefan Institute: Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 2023. Str. 61, ilustr. http://ipssc.mps.si/auxiliary_material/BoA%20IPSSC%202023.pdf.
- VELKAVRH, Blaž, TOMC, Urban, REGIS DE MORAES, Victor, ŠADL, Matej, KITANOVSKI, Andrej, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana. Preparation of dielectric thick films for use in fluidic thermal switches. V: KUZMIĆ, Nina (ur.), et al. 15th Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School Students’ Conference, 31st May – 2nd June 2023, Kamnik, Slovenia : Book of abstracts. Ljubljana: Jožef Stefan Institute: Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 2023. Str. 64, ilustr. http://ipssc.mps.si/auxiliary_material/BoA%20IPSSC%202023.pdf
- VELKAVRH, Blaž, TOMC, Urban, REGIS DE MORAES, Victor, ŠADL, Matej, KITANOVSKI, Andrej, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana. Preparation of dielectric thick films for fluidic thermal switches in magnetocaloric cooling device. V: KUŠČER, Danjela (ur.), ŽAGAR, Kristina (ur.). 58th International Conference on Microelectronics, Devices and Materials & The Workshop on Chemical sensors: Materials and Applications : conference 2023 : proceedings : September 27- September 29, Lipica, Slovenia. Ljubljana: MIDEM – Society for Microelectronics, Electronic Components and Materials, 2023. Str. 107-108, ilustr. ISBN 978-961-95495-2-0.
- TOMC, Urban, KLINAR, Katja, PETELIN, Nada, VOZEL, Katja, NOSAN, Simon, PERNE, Jakob, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. High frequency and high-power density magnetocaloric cooling. V: Refrigeration science and technology proceedings : 26th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration, Paris, France, August 21-25, 2023. Paris: Institut international du froid = International Institute of Refrigeration, 2023. Vol. 2, str. 250-461, ilustr. Science et technique du froid. ISBN 978-2-36215-056-2. ISSN 0151-1637.
- TOMC, Urban, VELKAVRH, Blaž, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana, COLARIČ, Bianka, BEYER, Lukas, WEISE, Bruno, LÜNSER, K., MAÑOSA, Lluís, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. Fluidic thermal switch based on electrowetting effect in magnetocaloric cooling. V: E-MRS 2023 Fall Meeting : September 18 – 21, 2023, University of Technology, Warsaw (Poland). [Warsaw: University of Technology], 2023. Str. [1]. https://srv3.key4events.com/key4register/AbstractList.aspx?e=42&preview=1&aig=-1&ai=7971.
- VELKAVRH, Blaž, TOMC, Urban, REGIS DE MORAES, Victor, ŠADL, Matej, COLARIČ, Bianka, KITANOVSKI, Andrej, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana. Dielectric thick films for use in fluidic thermal switches. V: E-MRS 2023 Fall Meeting : September 18 – 21, 2023, University of Technology, Warsaw (Poland). [Warsaw: University of Technology], 2023. Str. [1]. https://srv3.key4events.com/key4register/AbstractList.aspx?e=42&preview=1&aig=-1&ai=6800.
- L. Beyer, B. Weise, J. K. Hufenbach, J. Freudenberger. Shaping and functionalizing of Gd for magnetocaloric cooling application. DPG Spring Meeting of the Condensed Matter Section. 26. – 31.3.2023, Technische Universität Dresden. https://skm23.dpg-tagungen.de
- VELKAVRH, Blaž, TOMC, Urban, REGIS DE MORAES, Victor, ŠADL, Matej, COLARIČ, Bianka, KITANOVSKI, Andrej, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana. Dielectric thick films for fluidic thermal switches in magnetocaloric cooling device. V: Dresden Days on Magnetocalorics 2023 : book of abstracts : November 13-14, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. Dresden: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 2023. Str. 50. https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pOid=70680.
- TOMC, Urban, VELKAVRH, Blaž, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana, COLARIČ, Bianka, BEYER, Lukas, WEISE, Bruno, FREUDENBERGER, Jens, LÜNSER, Klara, STERN-TAULATS, Enric, MAÑOSA, Lluís, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. Digital microfluidic thermal switch in magnetocaloric cooling device. V: Dresden Days on Magnetocalorics 2023 : book of abstracts : November 13-14, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. Dresden: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 2023. Str. 44. https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pOid=70680.
- Lukas Beyer, Urban Tomc, Hana Ursic, Lluis Manosa, Jens Freudenberger, Julia Kristin Hufenbach. Shaping and functionalizing of Gd for the “Cool BatMan” Project. V: Dresden Days on Magnetocalorics 2023 : book of abstracts : November 13-14, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. Dresden: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, 2023. Str. 44. https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pOid=70680.
- URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana, REGIS DE MORAES, Victor. Preparation of functional composite films using the aerosol deposition method. V: EMA 2024 : Basic Science and Electronics Division Meeting. Westerville: The American Ceramic Society. 2024.
- VELKAVRH, Blaž, TOMC, Urban, ŠADL, Matej, REGIS DE MORAES, Victor, ERJAVEC NAGODE, Urška, COLARIČ, Bianka, KITANOVSKI, Andrej, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana. Dielectric thick films for use in digital microfluidic thermal switches. V: LOBATO, Alnilan Cristina Barros (ur.), et al. 16th Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School Students’ Conference, 29th – 31st May, Piran, Slovenia : Book of abstracts : Two decades of discovery: advancing science and solutions. Ljubljana: Jožef Stefan Institute: Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 2024.
- TOMC, Urban, VELKAVRH, Blaž, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana, BEYER, Lukas, FREUDENBERGER, Jens, LÜNSER, Klara, STERN-TAULATS, Enric, MAÑOSA, Lluís, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. Magnetocaloric cooling with fluidic thermal switches based on electrowetting effect. V: ŠARLER, Božidar (ur.), VANOLI, Laura (ur.), DOBRAVEC, Tadej (ur.). Eurotherm 2024 : book of abstracts : 9th European Thermal Sciences Conference : 10 – 13 June 2024, Bled, Slovenia.
- VELKAVRH, Blaž, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana, REGIS DE MORAES, Victor, ŠADL, Matej, COLARIČ, Bianka, KITANOVSKI, Andrej, TOMC, Urban. Fabrication of microfluidic thermal switches for magnetocaloric cooling applications. V: ŠARLER, Božidar (ur.), VANOLI, Laura (ur.), DOBRAVEC, Tadej (ur.). Eurotherm 2024 : book of abstracts : 9th European Thermal Sciences Conference : 10 – 13 June 2024, Bled, Slovenia. Online version. Ljubljana: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 2024.
- TOMC, Urban, NOSAN, Simon, KLINAR, Katja, PETELIN, Nada, VELKAVRH, Blaž, VOZEL, Katja, PERNE, Jakob, BOGIĆ, Simon, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. High frequency magnetocaloric cooling. In: Proceedings : 10th IIR Conference on Caloric Cooling and Applications of Caloric Materials, Baotou, China August 21-24, 2024. 10th IIR Conference on Caloric Cooling and Applications of Caloric Materials, Baotou, China August 21-24, 2024. Beijing: Chinese Association of Refrigeration; Paris: International Institute of Refrigeration, 2024. Str. 148-157, ilustr. Science et technique du froid. ISBN 978-2-36215-063-0. ISSN 0151-1637. [COBISS.SI-ID 210520323]
- VOZEL, Katja, KLINAR, Katja, PETELIN, Nada, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. Thermal control circuit modelling with TCCbuilder. In: ŠARLER, Božidar (ed.), VANOLI, Laura (ed.), DOBRAVEC, Tadej (ed.). Eurotherm 2024 : 9th European Thermal Sciences Conference, 10/06/2024 – 13/06/2024, Lake Bled, Slovenia. [S. l.]: IOP publishing, 2024. Vol. 2766, [article no.] 012203, str. 1-6, ilustr. Journal of physics. Conference series (Online), vol. 2766. ISSN 1742-6596. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/2766/1/012203, Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani – RUL, DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/2766/1/012203. [COBISS.SI-ID 198749699]
- KLINAR, Katja, VOZEL, Katja, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. Navigating the heat maze: a showcase tutorial of TCCbuilder software. In: Proceedings : 10th IIR Conference on Caloric Cooling and Applications of Caloric Materials, Baotou, China August 21-24, 2024. 10th IIR Conference on Caloric Cooling and Applications of Caloric Materials, Baotou, China August 21-24, 2024. Beijing: Chinese Association of Refrigeration; Paris: International Institute of Refrigeration, 2024. Str. 9-13, ilustr. Science et technique du froid. ISBN 978-2-36215-063-0. ISSN 0151-1637. DOI: 10.18462/iir.thermag.2024.0002. [COBISS.SI-ID 209184259]
- TOMC, Urban, NOSAN, Simon, KLINAR, Katja, PETELIN, Nada, VELKAVRH, Blaž, VOZEL, Katja, PERNE, Jakob, BOGIĆ, Simon, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. Efficient and static magnetic field source for high frequency magnetocalorics. In: CMD31 : Joint Conference of the Portuguese and European Divisions of Condensed Matter Physics, 2-6 September, Braga, Portugal : [General Conference of the Condensed Matter Division of the European Physical Society]. Braga: [s. n.], 2024. Str. [1]. https://cmd31.sci-meet.net/program. [COBISS.SI-ID 207172611]
- KITANOVSKI, Andrej, KLINAR, Katja, GAČNIK, Darja, GIMAEV, Radel, TOMC, Urban, PETELIN, Nada, VOZEL, Katja, CHDIL, Oumayma. Challenges, opportunities, and future roadmap for energy applications of magnetocaloric materials. In: Calorics 2024 : [The Møller Institute Storey’s Way Cambridge], Monday 16 – Wednesday 18, September 2024 : book of abstracts. [S. l.: s. n.], 2024. Str. [15]. https://www.moya.msm.cam.ac.uk/campl_site/Book_of_Abstracts.pdf#page=3.00, Repozitorij Univerze v Ljubljani – RUL. [COBISS.SI-ID 210764803]
- REGIS DE MORAES, Victor, ŠADL, Matej, GORIČAN, Ivana, BENČAN, Andreja, DRAŽIĆ, Goran, GYERGYEK, Sašo, CERAR, Jan, TUŠEK, Jaka, TOMC, Urban, KITANOVSKI, Andrej, URŠIČ NEMEVŠEK, Hana, et al. Characterization of multicaloric composites prepared via the aerosol deposition method. V: 59th International Conference on Microelectronics, Devices and Materials & Workshop on Electromagnetic Compatibility: From Theory to Practice : conference 2024 : proceedings : October 2-October 4, Rimske Toplice, Slovenia. Ljubljana: MIDEM, Society for Microelectronics, Electronic Components and Materials, 2024. Str. 78-79.
- TOMC, Urban, NOSAN, Simon, KLINAR, Katja, PETELIN, Nada, VELKAVRH, Blaž, VOZEL, Katja, PERNE, Jakob, BOGIĆ, Simon, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. High frequency magnetocaloric cooling. V: Proceedings : 10th IIR Conference on Caloric Cooling and Applications of Caloric Materials, Baotou, China August 21-24, 2024. 10th IIR Conference on Caloric Cooling and Applications of Caloric Materials, Baotou, China August 21-24, 2024. Beijing: Chinese Association of Refrigeration; Paris: International Institute of Refrigeration, 2024. Str. 148-157.
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- Development of magnetocaloric wine cabinet – Gorenje – confidential
- Cool batman
- Magccine
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- Micro-magnetocaloric device : EP3106781 (A1), 2016-12-21. Genova: World intellectual property organization, 2016. 37 f., ilustr. [COBISS.SI-ID 15608347]
- The procedure of making active magnetocaloric regenerator (Postopek izdelave aktivnega magnetnega regeneratorja): SI 24240 (A), 2014/05/30. Ljubljana: Urad Republike Slovenije za intelektualno lastnino, 2014. 7 f., 2 f. pril., ilustr. [COBISS.SI-ID 12596507]
patentna družina: Številka prijave: P 20120000342, 2012-11-16; Številka mednarodne prijave: WO2014076588 (A1), 2014-05-22 - Method and device for continuous generation of cold and heat by means of the magneto-calorific effect : patent no. US7481064 B2. [S. l.]: United States Patent, Trademark Office, 2009. 16 str., ilustr. [COBISS.SI-ID 11295771]
patentna družina: WO 2004059221 (A1); JP 2006512556 (T); EP 1581774 (A1); CH 695836 (A5); AU 2003286077 (A1); US 2007144181 (A1) - Method and device for the generation of cold and heat by magneto-calorific effect : patent no.:US 7481063 B2. [S. l.]: United States Patent, Trademark Office, 2009. 6 str., graf. prikazi. [COBISS.SI-ID 7424027]
patentna družina: Int. Cl. F25B21/00; U.S. Cl. /3.1; US2006080979 A1 2006-04-20; EP1581775 A1 2005-10-05; JP2006512557 T 2006-04-13; CH 695837 (A1); WO 2004059222 (A1); CA 2511543 (A1); AU 2003286086