Samsung Electronics has announced the publication of a joint research paper with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) titled “Nano-Engineered Thin-Film Thermoelectric Materials Enable Practical Solid-State Refrigeration.” The paper, published in Nature Communications, discusses the development of next-generation Peltier cooling technology.
Peltier devices utilize the Peltier effect for cooling, where an electric current applied to a semiconductor results in one side cooling and the other heating. This method is gaining attention as it does not require refrigerants, offering a lower-impact alternative to traditional refrigeration methods.
The research was conducted by Samsung Research’s Life Solution Team and Dr. Rama Venkatasubramanian’s thermoelectrics team at APL. They have advanced thin-film Peltier semiconductor devices using nano-engineering technology to create a high-performance Peltier refrigerator.
This new refrigerator exceeds the cooling efficiency of traditional vapor compression systems, potentially paving the way for commercial refrigerators that do not use refrigerants. The Peltier method allows for fast and precise temperature control with simpler configurations, applicable across various industries including home appliances, semiconductors, medical devices, automotive electronics, and data centers.
To commercialize this technology effectively, achieving superior cooling efficiency in Peltier semiconductor devices is crucial. Samsung and APL have improved device efficiency by nearly 75% through new thin-film materials and miniaturization techniques.
The developed Peltier device shows significant advantages in resource efficiency and mass production capabilities. The manufacturing process reduces material requirements to about 1/1,000th of what is typically needed and simplifies production steps. This enhances scalability and offers potential gains in cost-effectiveness and environmental impact.
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is a not-for-profit university-affiliated research center based in Laurel, Maryland. It addresses complex challenges facing national security and advances technological frontiers. More information can be found at jhuapl.edu.