Phase change energy storage materials company

What are phase change materials (PCMs)?

Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are ideal products for thermal management solutions. This is because they store and release thermal energy during the process of melting & freezing (changing from one phase to another). When such a material freezes, it releases large amounts of energy in the form of latent heat of fusion, or energy of crystallisation.

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.

What is photothermal phase change energy storage?

To meet the demands of the global energy transition, photothermal phase change energy storage materials have emerged as an innovative solution. These materials, utilizing various photothermal conversion carriers, can passively store energy and respond to changes in light exposure, thereby enhancing the efficiency of energy systems.

How much research has been done on phase change materials?

A thorough literature survey on the phase change materials for TES using Web of Science led to more than 4300 research publications on the fundamental science/chemistry of the materials, components, systems, applications, developments and so on, during the past 25 years.

Can PCM be used in thermal energy storage?

We also identify future research opportunities for PCM in thermal energy storage. Solid-liquid phase change materials (PCMs) have been studied for decades, with application to thermal management and energy storage due to the large latent heat with a relatively low temperature or volume change.

What is energy conversion during phase changes in thermodynamics?

In thermodynamics, energy conversion during phase changes involves changes in system entropy and thermal radiation losses. The latent heat absorbed or released by PCMs during melting or solidification is directly related to changes in the system’s disorder.