Hi-ENTROPY

Materials for magnetocaloric energy conversion –magnetic cooling, heating and power generation, tend to exhibit a large magnetocaloric effect. However, they rely heavily on the use of critical elements (rare earth) and can furthermore suffer from cracking and fatigue, which severely limits their useful lifetime. Transition metal-based high entropy alloys (TM-HEAs) on the other hand offer supply chain and cost stability, and possess superior mechanical properties such as ductility, corrosion resistance, machinability, all of which ease manufacturing and bolster product longevity.

This project targeted two thematic priority areas within the NANO2021 program: “Applications in the energy sphere” and “Reducing environmental and climate impacts”.

The scientific outcome is in the form of increased knowledge regarding high entropy alloys for magnetocaloric energy conversion applications around room temperature. We managed to develop novel materials and combinations of elements that were not investigated prior to the HI-ENTROPY project. Furthermore, we were able to establish some structure-property relationships for the MM’X-type compounds and gained insight into the driving force that triggers the magnetostructural transitions in those compounds. Furthermore, we developed candidate materials based on abundant and non-critical elements which could potentially find their way into future energy conversion devices.

Project period: 2019 – 2023. IFE has the project management and University of Oslo is partnerin the project. Total budget is 10,3 Mkr.