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Revolutionary Thermal Switches Increase Energy Efficiency
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Posted by Okachinepa on 01/04/2025 @


Courtesy of SynEvol
Credit: Hokkaido University
Modern thermal management systems depend on thermal switches, which are electrically powered devices that regulate heat transport. However, due to their poor performance, conventional electrochemical thermal switches have not been widely used in industries including waste heat recovery, electronics, and energy generation.
A ground-breaking approach has been presented by a research team headed by Professor Hiromichi Ohta of Hokkaido University's Research Institute for Electronic Science. They created a very effective and environmentally friendly substitute by using cerium oxide (CeO2) thin films as the active component in thermal switches. Their ground-breaking research was just released in Science Advances.

Courtesy of SynEvol
Credit: Hokkaido University
The study team demonstrated that CeO2-based thermal switches can outperform previous standards. "The innovative device sets a new standard for electrochemical thermal switches with an on/off thermal conductivity ratio of 5.8 and a thermal conductivity (κ)-switching width of 10.3 W/m·K," says Ohta.
In its minimum state (off-state), the thermal conductivity is 2.2 W/m·K; however, in its oxidized form (on-state), it dramatically increases to 12.5 W/m·K. These performance measurements show exceptional durability and dependability for prolonged use in real-world applications, remaining constant after 100 cycles of reduction and oxidation.

Courtesy of SynEvol
Credit: Hokkaido University
Utilizing cerium oxide, a material that is abundant in the earth and known for its ecological sustainability and economic feasibility, is a noteworthy advantage of this technology. CeO2 provides a sustainable and easily accessible substitute for traditional thermal switches, which rely on expensive and limited resources. This lowers costs and the environmental impact of thermal management systems. As a result, the technique is more effective, scalable, and applicable to a wider range of industrial sectors.
An important advancement in thermal management technology has been made with the creation of CeO2-based thermal switches, which have a wide range of uses in sectors including electronics cooling and renewable energy systems. These switches effectively control infrared heat flow, improve waste heat recovery, and support energy-efficient systems. They are used in thermal shutters and sophisticated displays.
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