Purpose-built power converter for electrocaloric solid-state
This technology is a specialized power converter designed to drive electrocaloric air conditioning systems, which cool spaces by applying and removing electric fields from certain materials rather than using traditional refrigerants or compressors. The system pairs two electrocaloric modules with a carefully staged switching circuit — using silicon carbide transistors — that charges and discharges each module in sequence, allowing energy to be recycled between stages rather than wasted as heat. A controller orchestrates the switching sequence to maintain efficient, coordinated operation across both modules. The result is a solid-state cooling architecture with no moving parts and potentially much higher efficiency than conventional vapor-compression systems.
What you could build
A solid-state cooling module or HVAC subsystem for consumer electronics, EVs, or building climate control, sold to HVAC OEMs, automotive thermal management suppliers, or data center cooling vendors seeking refrigerant-free alternatives.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense and aerospace contractors in Northern Virginia with thermal management needs, or data center operators in Northern Virginia's dense data center corridor seeking energy-efficient, refrigerant-free cooling solutions.
Readiness: Concept
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Luis Arnedo, Rolando Burgos, Dong Dong, Le Wang
- Filed
- Patent pending — filed June 9, 2025
- Status
- Application
- Publication number
- US20250379518A1
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.