Korea Pioneers Magnetic Cooling Technology to Replace Gas Refrigerants

A team of researchers at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) has unveiled Korea’s first full-cycle magnetic cooling technology, marking a significant advancement in eco-friendly refrigeration. Led by Dr. Jong-Woo Kim from the Nano Materials Research Division and Dr. Da-Seul Shin from the Materials Processing Research Division, this innovation aims to address the environmental challenges posed by traditional gas-based cooling systems.

Magnetic cooling technology operates through the magnetocaloric effect, which enables cooling without the use of gas refrigerants. As an alternative, it relies on solid-state materials, making it a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This development comes at a critical time, as global regulations on refrigerants are tightening. Under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the use of various harmful refrigerants will be banned by 2030.

Despite its potential, the commercialization of magnetic cooling technology has faced hurdles, primarily due to the high manufacturing costs associated with magnetocaloric materials, many of which depend on rare-earth elements. These challenges have made it difficult to ensure price competitiveness in the market. The research team addressed these issues by synthesizing various magnetocaloric materials, including lanthanum (La)-based and manganese (Mn)-based alloys.

Through advanced fabrication techniques, the team successfully created large-area La-based thin sheets, measuring just 0.5 mm in thickness, and Gd-based fine wires with a diameter of 1.0 mm. These innovations demonstrate exceptional performance at the component level, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of magnetic cooling systems.

The researchers also developed Korea’s first measurement system for monitoring adiabatic temperature changes in magnetic cooling materials and components. This breakthrough allows for the quantitative verification of property differences based on manufacturing processes, facilitating the development of optimized materials and components for practical applications.

As countries worldwide ramp up efforts to combat climate change, the importance of eco-friendly cooling solutions is escalating. Several research projects in technologically advanced nations, such as Germany, have shown that magnetic cooling systems can achieve coefficients of performance (COP) that surpass those of conventional refrigeration methods. This trend suggests that magnetic refrigeration technology is evolving into a vital cooling solution in the global market.

Strengthening its position in this emerging field, the KIMS research team continues to publish impactful research and secure key patents. With their world-class results in component manufacturing and the development of non-rare-earth magnetic refrigerant materials, they are poised to lead the way in this innovative technology.

Dr. Jong-Woo Kim emphasized the potential impact of this technology, stating, “Once commercialized, this technology will overcome the limitations of conventional gas-based cooling systems and provide an eco-friendly and stable cooling solution.” Senior Researcher Dr. Da-Seul Shin added, “Through this creative convergence research project, we aim to further advance magnetocaloric technology and establish a domestic industrial infrastructure for it, while also expanding into the global market.”

This research, funded by the Basic Research Program of KIMS and the Creative Convergence Research Program of the National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST), has been published in the prestigious journal Rare Metals in May 2025, with Ph.D. candidate Sun-Young Yang as the lead author. Additionally, the team has registered a domestic patent for their magnetic cooling evaluation system and filed a corresponding patent application in the United States.

The development of magnetic cooling technology represents a turning point in refrigeration, promising to deliver sustainable solutions for a more environmentally friendly future.