Abstract
The discovery of alternative methods of producing electrical energy that avoid the generation of greenhouse gases and do not contribute to global warming is a compelling problem of our time. Ubiquitous, but often highly distributed, sources of energy on earth exist in the small-temperature-difference regime, 10-250degC. In this review, we discuss a family of methods that can potentially recover this energy based on the use of first-order phase transformations in crystalline materials combined with ferromagnetism or ferroelectricity. The development of this technology will require a better understanding of these phase transformations, especially ferroelectric/ferromagnetic properties, hysteresis, and reversibility, as well as strategies for discovering improved materials.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Annual Review of Materials Research |
Publisher | Annual Reviews Inc. |
Pages | 283-318 |
Number of pages | 36 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1 2020 |
Externally published | Yes |
Publication series
Name | Annual Review of Materials Research |
---|---|
Volume | 50 |
ISSN (Print) | 1531-7331 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2020 Annual Reviews Inc.. All rights reserved.
Keywords
- energy conversion
- ferroelectricity
- ferromagnetism
- first-order phase transformation
- small-temperature-difference regime
- supercompatibility