Combining magnetocaloric and elastocaloric effects in a Ni₄₅Co₅Mn₃₇In₁₃ alloy

Solid-state refrigeration technology has become a promising candidate to replace the traditional low-efficiency and environment-harmful vapor compression refrigeration. However, the narrow temperature region becomes a critical problem which hinders the practical applications of caloric materials to a refrigerator. Here, we report a potential way to solve this problem by combining different caloric effects in one refrigerant. A multiferroic ferromagnetic shape memory alloy Ni₄₅Co₅Mn₃₇In₁₃ can exhibit large inverse magnetocaloric effect and elastocaloric effect in adjacent working temperature regions. Thus a broad refrigeration temperature span can be realized in Ni₄₅Co₅Mn₃₇In₁₃ alloy by applying magnetic field or external stress at different temperature. Moreover, we propose a potential equipment schematic drawing to achieve it. The system can facilitate the multiferroic materials to produce useful cooling at a much larger temperature range. This combined caloric effect and the concept system proposed in this study would inspire researchers working in this field.