Peltier effect generates spatially-separated hot and cold sides. Electrocaloric effect generates temporally-separated hot and cold periods. The Peltier effect is simpler to harness into a refrigeration unit (put the cold stuff on the cold side, dissipate heat from the hot side), but has lower potential efficiency.
Now we just need to combine it with thermal transistors* on the front and back sides to gate and pump the heat in one direction. Conduct -> Cool -> Insulate -> Heat -> Conduct -> Cool... (while doing the opposite on the heat-sinking side, of course)
Thank you. That's a clear description. I read through that whole article and still was not sure why it was not a Peltier cooler with oil flowing around.
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