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Do such materials exist? If they do, are there materials that go from very high to very low thermal conductivity depending on electrical input?
These are materials that exhibit the phenomenon of "electrocaloric effect," in which their temperature changes significantly in response to an applied electric field.
These materials typically have a high dielectric constant, which means they can store a large amount of electrical energy. When an electric field is applied, the material's molecules reorient themselves, leading to a change in temperature.
These materials have potential applications in refrigeration and cooling systems, as they can provide a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional refrigerants. They can also be used in thermal energy storage and in temperature control systems for electronic devices.
One limitation is that the electrocaloric effect is only significant within a narrow temperature range, typically around room temperature. This can limit their use in certain applications. Additionally, some of these materials may be expensive or difficult to manufacture.
Yes, there are other materials that exhibit similar effects, such as magnetocaloric materials, which change temperature in response to a magnetic field, and mechanocaloric materials, which change temperature in response to a mechanical force.