Innovative cryogenic cooling material using spin frustration from abundant elements

Cryogenic cooling technology is essential for modern applications, such as magnetic resonance imaging and quantum computing; however, it currently relies heavily on critical resources such as helium and heavy rare-earth elements. As demand for cryogenic cooling increases, developing alternative technologies that reduce reliance on these scarce resources is crucial. This study introduces regenerator materials from abundant elements-copper, iron, and aluminum-that function as Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryocoolers. These materials achieve cryogenic cooling through the spin frustration effect, where competing magnetic interactions enhance magnetic heat capacity. CuFe₁₋ₓAlₓO₂ demonstrates effective cooling capacity at the helium condensation temperature comparable with that of conventional heavy rare-earth-based materials and surpasses the performance specifications of commercial GM cryocoolers. These findings demonstrate the potential of non-rare-earth magnetic materials for sustainable cryogenic technology, reducing dependence on critical resources.