Phase change material for thermal energy storage

Are phase change materials suitable for thermal energy storage?

Phase change materials (PCMs) having a large latent heat during solid-liquid phase transition are promising for thermal energy storage applications. However, the relatively low thermal conductivity of the majority of promising PCMs (<10 W/ (m ⋅ K)) limits the power density and overall storage efficiency.

Can phase change materials reduce energy concerns?

Abstract Phase change materials (PCMs) can alleviate concerns over energy to some extent by reversibly storing a tremendous amount of renewable and sustainable thermal energy. However, the low ther...

Why are phase change materials difficult to design?

Phase change materials (PCMs), which are commonly used in thermal energy storage applications, are difficult to design because they require excellent energy density and thermal transport, both of which are difficult to predict from simple physics-based models.

Are functional phase change materials reversible?

Functional phase change materials (PCMs) capable of reversibly storing and releasing tremendous thermal energy during the isothermal phase change process have recently received tremendous attention...

What are the non-equilibrium properties of phase change materials?

Among the various non-equilibrium properties relevant to phase change materials, thermal conductivity and supercooling are the most important. Thermal conductivity determines the thermal energy charge/discharge rate or the power output, in addition to the storage system architecture and boundary conditions.

What is a phase change material (PCM)?

Among all the research efforts, the preparation of sustainable and advanced phase change materials (PCMs) is the key. Cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer on earth, has the advantages of renewability, biodegradability, recyclability and ease of functionalization, making it a versatile candidate for newly emerging energy applications.