A research team at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) has achieved a significant breakthrough by developing Korea’s first full-cycle magnetic cooling technology. Led by Dr. Jong-Woo Kim from the Nano Materials Research Division and Dr. Da-Seul Shin from the Materials Processing Research Division, this innovative technology is expected to revolutionize cooling systems by offering an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional gas-based refrigeration methods.
Magnetic cooling technology operates using the magnetocaloric effect, which allows for cooling in a solid state without the need for gas refrigerants. This process involves the temperature of certain materials changing when exposed to an external magnetic field. While the potential benefits are substantial, the commercialization of this technology has previously encountered hurdles, including high production costs for magnetocaloric materials and reliance on rare-earth elements that impact market competitiveness.
The research team has synthesized various magnetocaloric materials, notably lanthanum (La)-based and manganese (Mn)-based alloys. By employing advanced fabrication techniques such as hot rolling, cold drawing, and micro-channel machining, they successfully created large-area sheets and fine wires essential for industrial applications. Remarkably, they produced La-based thin sheets measuring 0.5 mm in thickness and Gd-based fine wires with a diameter of 1.0 mm, demonstrating exceptional performance metrics at the component level.
Advancements and Future Implications
The research team also developed Korea’s first measurement system that can directly monitor adiabatic temperature changes in magnetic cooling materials. This capability allows for quantitative verification of differences in properties dependent on the manufacturing process, facilitating the development of optimized materials, components, and modules for magnetic cooling applications.
As global regulations regarding refrigerants tighten, particularly under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which prohibits the production and use of major gas refrigerants after 2030, the importance of eco-friendly cooling alternatives escalates. Countries like Germany have reported magnetic cooling systems achieving coefficients of performance (COP) superior to traditional methods, indicating a strong future for this technology in the global market.
In light of these developments, the KIMS research team is committed to enhancing its technological edge in magnetic cooling through impactful publications and securing key patents. Their work has already positioned them as leaders in component manufacturing and non-rare-earth magnetic refrigerant materials.
Dr. Jong-Woo Kim emphasized the significance of this innovation, stating, “Once commercialized, this technology will overcome the limitations of conventional gas-based cooling systems and provide an eco-friendly and stable cooling solution.” Dr. Da-Seul Shin added, “Through this creative convergence research project, we aim to advance magnetocaloric technology further and establish a domestic industrial infrastructure while also expanding into the global market.”
The research was funded by the Basic Research Program of KIMS and the Creative Convergence Research Program of the National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST). Results from this study are slated for publication in May 2025 in the prestigious journal Rare Metals, with Ph.D. candidate Sun-Young Yang as the first author. The team has also registered a domestic patent related to the magnetic cooling evaluation system and filed a corresponding patent application in the United States.
As the world moves toward sustainable solutions in response to climate change, this advancement in magnetic cooling technology stands to play a crucial role in shaping future cooling systems.
