An optical approach to next generation refrigeration: OPTAGON

Programme: H2020-EU.1.2.1. - FET Open

Topic: FETOPEN-01-2018-2019-2020 - FET-Open Challenging Current Thinking

Call for proposal: H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2019-2020-01

Funding Scheme: RIA - Research and Innovation action

Grant agreement ID: 964698

Objective

According to fundamental thermodynamics, using light as a refrigerant could allow new cooling technologies providing a much better alternative for the presently prevailing mechanical compressor based heat pumps and their all-solid-state thermoelectric counterparts. Recent evidence shows that such a break-through is already possible with the right combination of the latest innovations in lighting, photovoltaics and nanotechnologies. Addressing the challenges of stopping the use of polluting green-house gasses and reducing the rapidly increasing global energy consumption on cooling and heating, OPTAGON aims to demonstrate and harness the fundamental phenomenon of electroluminescent cooling to develop the first thermophotonic coolers. This opens an entirely new way to tackle the challenges of efficient solid-state cooling, enabling cooling solutions all the way from cryogenic coolers to domestic heat pumps. In a multidisciplinary cross-over approach we combine thin-film solar cell materials and light emitting diode structures with recently developed extremely efficient light extraction methods and emerging nanoengineering concepts using optical near-field effects to demonstrate the extraordinary prospects of thermophotonics. This creates a fundamental and cutting-edge line of research, development, and innovation targeting a solid-state cooling revolution with a scientific underpinning and addressing the urgent industrial needs for efficient cryogenic solid -state cooling. This project will combine synergies in theory, experiment and technology-development covering different fields from materials to photonics. The project partners, who are leaders in their respective fields, form a consortium that is uniquely positioned to achieve the ambitious objectives.