Stirling cryocoolers enable efficient cooling for medical, defense, and space applications.

A Stirling cryocooler is a specialized device that uses the Stirling engine's thermodynamic cycle in reverse to achieve extremely low temperatures. Instead of using a heat source to generate mechanical work, a cryocooler uses an external power source to perform mechanical work (driving the pistons), which forces heat to be pumped out of an object, thus cooling it to cryogenic temperatures.

The working principle of a Stirling cryocooler makes it a highly efficient and compact cooling solution. It typically consists of a compressor and an expander, which are used to cyclically compress and expand a working fluid (often helium gas). The process of expanding the gas absorbs heat, cooling the surrounding area, while the compression of the gas releases heat, which is then dissipated to the environment. This continuous cycle allows the cryocooler to maintain a stable, very low temperature.

The market for Stirling cryocoolers is driven by a number of high-value applications where precise and reliable cooling is essential. In the aerospace industry, they are used to cool infrared sensors and detectors on satellites and space probes, as these sensors must be kept at cryogenic temperatures to function properly. In the medical field, they are used in certain types of medical equipment and for the ultra-low temperature storage of biological samples. The military also uses them for cooling infrared cameras and night vision systems. The compact size, high efficiency, and reliability of Stirling cryocoolers make them an indispensable technology for a variety of scientific, medical, and industrial applications.