Effect of operating and materials parameters on electrocaloric device - a simulation study

Abstract

Our modern society increasingly relies on battery-driven products such as smartphones, tablets, computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), iPods, solar modules, electric vehicles, etc. high temperatures impact the products, reliability and life span. In this direction, 55% of product failures are related to high-temperature operations. Hence, the present study discusses the electrocaloric (EC) as a viable device for battery cooling, considering variables like electric pulse waveform, electrode/substrate materials, and operating temperature. The analysis proceeds systematically to examine relevant parameters. Initially, modeling is conducted using the COMSOL Multiphysics software to explore the impact of various factors. Equation-based and built-in modeling estimate the electrocaloric effect (ECE). Initially, equation-based modeling analyzes the ECE and validates the model with the literature. The built-in electrocaloric module was unavailable in the COMSOL, but it was added in a later version. Thus, the inbuilt model is also discussed in detail. The mesh-independent model is used to investigate the effect of different operating and material parameters on ECE. The electric pulse and holding time effect is analyzed on the EC cooling potential of polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoro ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene terpolymer (P(VDF-TrFE-CFE). The square electric pulse provides maximum ECE because of the fast application of the electric field and keeping the same electric pulse; the holding time is varied, and it is found to depend on material thickness and material properties. The electric field square cycles with 0.3 second holding provide the maximum EC temperature change.