A research team from the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) has achieved a significant breakthrough in eco-friendly cooling technology. Led by Dr. Jong-Woo Kim and Dr. Da-Seul Shin, the team has developed Korea’s first complete magnetic cooling technology, integrating various materials and components. This advancement aims to address the environmental challenges posed by traditional gas refrigerants and offers a promising alternative for high-efficiency cooling solutions.
The innovative magnetic cooling technology operates on the magnetocaloric effect, allowing temperature changes in solid-state materials without the use of gaseous refrigerants. Despite its potential, commercialization has been hindered by high manufacturing costs and reliance on rare-earth elements, complicating price competitiveness. Additionally, challenges in mass production, particularly in creating large-area plates and fine wires for industrial use, have slowed progress.
To overcome these hurdles, the KIMS team synthesized various magnetocaloric materials, including lanthanum (La)-based and manganese (Mn)-based alloys. They successfully fabricated sheet and fine-wire specimens using advanced techniques such as hot rolling, cold drawing, and micro-channel machining, leading to improved cooling efficiency. Notably, the team produced large-area La-based thin sheets measuring 0.5 mm in thickness and Gd-based fine wires with a diameter of 1.0 mm, showcasing exceptional performance at the component level.
The researchers also made strides in enhancing the performance of non-rare-earth Mn-based materials by optimizing thermal hysteresis and magnetic anisotropy. They developed Korea’s first measurement system capable of directly monitoring adiabatic temperature changes in magnetic cooling materials. This innovation allows for quantitative verification of property differences and facilitates the development of optimized components for magnetic cooling applications.
As global regulations on refrigerants become increasingly stringent, the need for eco-friendly cooling technologies is more critical than ever. According to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the production and use of major gas refrigerants, including HFCs and HCFCs, will be banned by 2030. In countries such as Germany, research projects have reported magnetic cooling systems with coefficients of performance (COP) exceeding those of conventional refrigeration methods, indicating a shift towards this next-generation cooling solution.
KIMS aims to align with global decarbonization policies and climate change initiatives by enhancing its technological competitiveness in magnetic cooling. The team has produced world-class results in component manufacturing and non-rare-earth magnetic refrigerant materials, supported by high-impact publications and key patents.
In a statement, Dr. Jong-Woo Kim emphasized, “Once commercialized, this technology will overcome the limitations of conventional gas-based cooling systems and provide an eco-friendly and stable cooling solution.” Dr. Da-Seul Shin added that the project aims to advance magnetocaloric technology while establishing a domestic industrial infrastructure and expanding into global markets.
The research was funded by the Basic Research Program of KIMS and the Creative Convergence Research Program of the National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST). The findings were published in May 2025 in the prestigious journal Rare Metals, with Ph.D. candidate Sun-Young Yang as the lead author. Furthermore, the team has registered a domestic patent related to the magnetic cooling evaluation system and filed a corresponding application in the United States.
As the world increasingly turns towards sustainable technologies, KIMS’ advancements in magnetic cooling may play a pivotal role in shaping the future of cooling solutions, aligning technological innovation with environmental responsibility.
