Magnetocaloric cooling is a promising technology for enabling a carbon-neutral, energy-efficient, and sustainable future [1]. Among the leading materials in this field are La(Fe,Si)₁₃-based compounds, which are notable for their versatility, offering potential for applications at both room [2] and cryogenic temperatures [3]. This broad operating range is achieved through elemental substitutions at the La and Fe sites, as well as the introduction of interstitial atoms.

In this project, the student will synthesize La(Fe,Si)₁₃-based compounds and optimize their chemical composition, synthesis routes, and magnetocaloric properties. The work will involve a variety of characterization methods to evaluate phase purity, (micro)structure, and magnetic and magnetocaloric behavior. Depending on the student’s interests and experimental outcomes, the focus may shift toward either room-temperature or cryogenic applications.

[1] K. Klinar, J. Y. Law, V. Franco, X. Moya, and A. Kitanovski, Adv. Energy Mater. 14, 2401739 (2024)

[2] N. P. Weiß, U. Rocabert, C. Hoppe, J.-P. Zwick, K. Loewe, M. Fries, A. J. Karttunen, O. Gutfleisch, and F. Muench, ACS Appl. Eng. Mater. 3, 256 (2025)

[3] B. Beckmann, L. Pfeuffer, J. Lill, B. Eggert, D. Koch, B. Lavina, J. Zhao, T. Toellner, E. E. Alp, K. Ollefs, K. P. Skokov, H. Wende, and O. Gutfleisch, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 16, 38208 (2024)