Phase change energy storage development trend

Can phase change materials improve thermal energy storage?

Efficient storage of thermal energy can be greatly enhanced by the use of phase change materials (PCMs). The selection or development of a useful PCM requires careful consideration of many physical and chemical properties. In this review of our recent studies of PCMs, we show that linking the molecular struc

Can phase change materials store thermal energy during reversible phase transitions?

Phase-change materials (PCMs) offer tremendous potential to store thermal energy during reversible phase transitions for state-of-the-art applications. The practicality of these materials is adversely restricted by volume expansion, phase segregation, and leakage problems associated with conventional solid-liquid PCMs.

Can phase change materials be used in solar energy storage?

Solar energy storage includes two technologies, one is sensible heat storage and the other is latent heat storage [113, 114]. Solid-liquid PCMs are currently commonly used in applications, but their leakage and corrosiveness will affect the application of phase change materials in solar energy storage.

What are phase change materials (PCMs)?

Phase change materials (PCM) have been widely used in thermal energy storage fields. As a kind of important PCMs, solid-solid PCMs possess unique advantages of low subcooling, low volume expansion, good thermal stability, suitable latent heat, and thermal conductivity, and have attracted great attention in recent years.

What is thermal management using phase change materials (PCMs)?

Thermal management using phase change materials (PCMs) is a promising solution for cooling and energy storage 7, 8, where the PCM offers the ability to store or release the latent heat of the material.

What determines the value of a phase change material?

The value of a phase change material is defined by its energy and power density—the total available storage capacity and the speed at which it can be accessed. These are influenced by material properties but cannot be defined with these properties alone.