DEVELOPING A MAGNETOCALORIC DOMESTIC HEAT PUMP

If the field of magnetocalorics is to progress beyond lab-scale demonstrations showcasing the technology at a small scale, it is important to develop prototype devices aimed at specific applications. Several groups and companies around the world are addressing cooling applications, including beverage coolers, A/Cs for cars and electronics cooling. Devices for heating have not been extensively demonstrated. Here we consider a promising application of magnetocaloric heat pumps for domestic heating. The task of designing and building such a device is a multidisciplinary one encompassing materials development and characterization, magnet design and construction, as well as device modelling, design and construction.