Dr. Konstantin Skokov
Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany
Date & Time: 10:00 - 11:00, March 25th (Wed), 2026.
Place: 811 Seminar Rm.,8F, Main Bldg., Sengen.
Magnetocaloric Effect Near First- and Second-Order Phase Transitions: Materials and Measurement Approache
Dr. Konstantin Skokov
Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany
Abstract:
Magnetic refrigeration, offering improved energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, is emerging as a promising alternative to gas‑compression cooling. This talk summarizes our recent progress in developing and optimizing magnetocaloric materials for room‑temperature refrigeration and cryogenic applications such as hydrogen liquefaction. We outline the pathway from fundamental research to industrial implementation across major material families, including rare‑earth metals and alloys, La(FeSi)13, Heusler alloys, RCo2, and R2In. Key challenges include maximizing adiabatic temperature and magnetic entropy changes, minimizing thermal hysteresis in first‑order magneto‑structural transitions, and improving thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, durability, and scalability [1,2].
I will also present advances in experimental techniques for studying magnetocaloric materials undergoing first‑ and second‑order transitions. Particular attention will be given to quantitative determination of adiabatic temperature change and to instrumentation enabling simultaneous measurements of magnetization, magnetostriction, electrical resistance, and calorimetry. Using selected materials, I will show how such multi‑probe approaches provide deeper insight into phase transitions and magnetic hysteresis [3].
[1] W. Liu et al., J. Alloys Compd. 995 (2024) 174612
[2] J. Liang et al., Appl. Therm. Eng. 284 (2026) 129144
[3] K.P. Skokov et al., Appl. Phys. Rev. 10 (2023) 031408
I will also present advances in experimental techniques for studying magnetocaloric materials undergoing first‑ and second‑order transitions. Particular attention will be given to quantitative determination of adiabatic temperature change and to instrumentation enabling simultaneous measurements of magnetization, magnetostriction, electrical resistance, and calorimetry. Using selected materials, I will show how such multi‑probe approaches provide deeper insight into phase transitions and magnetic hysteresis [3].
[1] W. Liu et al., J. Alloys Compd. 995 (2024) 174612
[2] J. Liang et al., Appl. Therm. Eng. 284 (2026) 129144
[3] K.P. Skokov et al., Appl. Phys. Rev. 10 (2023) 031408
(Contact)
Hossein SEPEHRI-AMIN, Green Magnetic Materials Group, Research Center for Magnetic and Spintronic Materials (CMSM)
E-mail: H.SEPEHRIAMIN[at]nims.go.jp
E-mail: H.SEPEHRIAMIN[at]nims.go.jp