BASF obtains exclusive rights to market magnetocaloric materials  

BASF New Business GmbH (Luswigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) has entered into an agreement with the Dutch Technology Foundation (STW; Utrecht; www.stw.nl), Delft University of Technology (www.tudelft.nl) and the University of Amsterdam (www.uva.nl) for licenses on the basic patents for magnetocaloric materials of the manganese iron family. Cooling systems based on these new materials enable more efficient cooling in refrigerators and air conditioning and are intended to replace conventional compressor technology. The manganese iron magnetocaloric technology originated from research projects carried out by professor Ekkes Brück, first at the University of Amsterdam and later at Delft University of Technology. STW funded the research projects and patented the findings. BASF has been cooperating with Brück for several years within a so-called Industrial Partnership Programme (IPP). IPP’s are research programs where the Dutch Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) couples academic knowledge with industrial ambitions and links renowned fundamental researchers with industry. The partners have now reached an important milestone. BASF has successfully scaled up the manufacturing process, and thereupon signed a license…