Abstract: The present invention describes the design and fabrication of Multi-Material-Blades used as active regenerative regenerators in active regenerative magneto-caloric or electro-caloric engines. The blades consist of a plurality of elements (2) that divide the blade body along its length. Each element (2) is made of a different magneto-caloric or electro-caloric material selected appropriately, and a plurality of dedicated channels (3) penetrates the blade body (1) and extends along the length of the blade. The dedicated channels (3) can be provided with fluid mixing structures, porous layers or hydrophobic coatings to reduce the HE loss in an active regenerative engine. The Multi-Material-Blades are obtainable by ink jet printing techniques to reduce costs. The Multi-Material-Blades can further have a curved shape to form an involute blade body (1). All measures can improve the performance of active regenerative magneto-caloric or electro-caloric engines, and lay the basis for commercial solutions.

Abstract: The present invention describes the design and fabrication of Multi-Material-Blades used as active regenerative regenerators in active regenerative magneto-caloric or electro-caloric engines. The blades consist of a plurality of elements (2) that divide the blade body along its length. Each element (2) is made of a different magneto-caloric or electro-caloric material selected appropriately, and a plurality of dedicated channels (3) penetrates the blade body (1) and extends along the length of the blade. The dedicated channels (3) can be provided with fluid mixing structures, porous layers or hydrophobic coatings to reduce the HE loss in an active regenerative engine. The Multi-Material-Blades are obtainable by ink jet printing techniques to reduce costs. The Multi-Material-Blades can further have a curved shape to form an involute blade body (1). All measures can improve the performance of active regenerative magneto-caloric or electro-caloric engines, and lay the basis for commercial solutions.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of a material of general formula (I): [(AyCo1-y)]u(Mn1-zCz)[(Si1-xBx)]v??(I) as a magnetocaloric material, wherein the material is orthorhombic and wherein: A is selected from Ni, Cr, Fe, Al, P, Se, Ga and Sb and mixtures thereof; B is selected from Ge, Sn, Al, P, Se, Ga and Sb and mixtures thereof; C is selected from Ni, Cr, Fe, Al, P, Se, Ga and Sb and mixtures thereof; x, y and z are the same or different and are numbers in the range 0 to 0.2; and u and v are the same or different and are numbers in the range 0.5 to 1.5. The invention also provides a method of making materials of formula (I) and a magnetocaloric refrigeration device comprising such materials.