Magnetic refrigeration

Magnetic refrigeration is a new and exciting technology that can be used to create low noise energyefficient cooling with environmentally friendly materials.

Here at Risø DTU we are working on creating a new prototype of a magnetic refrigeration device, which will hopefully be finished within the coming years. The way a magnetic refrigeration device generates cooling is through the magnetocaloric effect, which is a name for the temperature change that some material experience when they are subjected to a strong magnetic field. One can build a device that uses this temperature change to provide cooling.

To build as good a magnetic refrigeration device as possible we are doing research on all parts of the magnetic refrigeration field. This include reseach on magnetocaloric materials, numerical modelling of magnetic refrigeration devices as well as construction and design optimization of a magnetic refrigeration device.

To demonstrate that the technology works we have already built a prototype magnetic refrigeration device that is able to cool 8 degrees - a result that will be significantly improved in the coming years.

You can read more about the individual research topics on by clicking on the menu to the left.

If you are a student and find magnetic refrigeration to be an interesting topic you are more than welcome to contact us.

Page updated by 10.05.2011

Christian Bahl
Senior Scientist
Fuel Cells and Solid State Chemistry (ABF)
Dir tel+45 46775491

Nini Pryds
Head of Programme
Fuel Cells and Solid State Chemistry (ABF)
Dir tel+45 46775752