Project description
Innovative shape-memory alloy technology for cooling systems
Current cooling technologies consume vast amounts of electricity and contribute significantly to carbon emissions. Elastocaloric cooling presents a promising alternative. This technology leverages the unique properties of NiTi shape-memory alloys to achieve energy-efficient temperature regulation. However, the internal structure limits the performance of these materials. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SMAEC project aims to create gradient microstructures in NiTi shape-memory alloys, combining coarse and fine grains to improve efficiency. Researchers will use novel processing routes and leverage machine learning to optimise processing parameters and microstructural design. SMAEC will further develop the potential of NiTi shape-memory alloys, driving the development of next-generation sustainable cooling technologies.
Objective
Cooling is vital for human well-being, yet current cooling systems predominantly rely on vapor-compression technology, which consumes nearly 20% of global electricity and accounts for approximately 7.8% of worldwide carbon emissions. Elastocaloric cooling, based on the stress-induced latent heat associated with reversible martensitic transformations in NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs), offers a promising energy-efficient and eco-friendly alternative. However, conventional NiTi SMAs often fail to simultaneously achieve high cooling capacity and low energy dissipation due to suboptimal microstructures, which significantly reduces their overall cooling efficiency. This project aims to overcome this trade-off by engineering gradient microstructures in NiTi SMAs, consisting of coarse grains at the surface and fine grains in the core. A novel processing route, integrating cold rolling with advanced laser surface annealing, will be developed to realize this hierarchical architecture. In parallel, a dedicated testing platform will be established to evaluate elastocaloric performance under application-relevant conditions. With fellowship support, the project will establish quantitative microstructure–property relationships and construct a database to enable machine-learning-assisted optimization of processing parameters and microstructural design. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding how structural gradients influence the martensitic transformation and cooling performance of heterogeneous NiTi SMAs. The resulting insights will advance the fundamental science of SMAs, drive the development of next-generation sustainable cooling technologies, and reinforce United Kingdom's leadership in climate solutions. This research proposal will be hosted by Prof. Minh-Son Pham from the Imperial College London.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences databases
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering thermodynamic engineering
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture grains and oilseeds
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
SW7 2AZ London
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.