INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MANDI

Date: 06.07.2015
Walk-in interview for the Post of a Postdoctoral fellow on the project
Solid State Refrigeration Using Ferroelectric Ceramics
This project hopes to uncover the vast untapped potential of bulk ferroelectric materials as
potential candidates for solid-state cooling technology. This technology aims to provide on-board
cooling facility for miniaturized electronics. In this regards ferroelectric materials have undergone
extensive research owing to their ability to display large adiabatic temperature change ability,
known as electrocaloric effect. However, realization of a practical cooling system is hindered by
several major drawbacks including the requirement of high voltage, low temperature change, low
heat extraction capacity and low isothermal entropy change. Thus, mitigating these drawbacks is
of prime concern to help development of practical systems. Recent investigations into the field of
ferroelectric materials have uncovered vast cooling potential in the form of previously unexplored
field-driven various caloric effects such as electrocaloric and elastocaloric effects. It is because of
significant entropy change due to polarization reversal and actuation characteristics.
Furthermore, individual caloric effects can be suitable combined to further enhance the cooling
capacity of the material by several 100%. Thus, the aim of this project will be investigation and
quantification of various caloric effects in bulk ferroelectric material. Meticulous research can
break ground towards understanding the underlying phenomenon for entropy change in
ferroelectric materials; thereby enabling better understanding of the multi-caloric effects. This in
turn can help to bridge the gap between laboratory demonstrations to successful prototyping.
Principle Investigator (PI) : Dr. Rahul Vaish, Chairperson and Assistant Professor, School of
Engineering, IIT Mandi, Mandi -175 001 (H.P.)
Funding Agency : IIT Mandi
Duration : 1 year
Fellowship : Rs. 35000 55,000/Minimum Qualification : PhD in Materials Science or related area.
Desirable : Knowledge of ferroelectric ceramics, Fabrication and basic characterization of
electroceramics.
Interview date : 24.07.2015 , Time : 9.30 AM
Venue : Conference room, IIT Mandi, Academic block, Vallabh college campus, Opposite bus stand,
Mandi. (Please note that no TA/DA will be given to the candidates called for interview).

Interested and eligible candidates may send in advance an updated bio-data mentioning
personal details and academic qualifications with the file name solid state refrigeration
For further information, contact to PI: rahul@iitmandi.ac.in
Terms and conditions: Original certificate(s) must be shown at the time of interview.