Phase Change Matters

• Novel form stable phase change materials based on the composites of polyethylene glycol/polymeric solid-solid phase change material [Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells]
  
  
• Melting and solidification heat transfer characteristics of phase change material in a latent heat storage vessel: Effect of perforated partition plate [International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer]
  
  
• Analysis of new heat exchanger performance in phase change energy storage [Advanced Materials Research]
  
  
• Corrosion of metal containers for use in PCM energy storage [Renewable Energy]

Phase change materials are appearing in more consumer goods every year. In the spirit of the season, we'll share links to PCM-themed gift ideas over the next few weeks.

IF Technology of the Netherlands has received a Sustainable Urban Delta Award for its innovative thermal energy storage system for a residential complex in Wageningen. The system takes advantage of temperature differences in surface water near the complex. In summer, for example, warm water is stored in an aquifer thermal storage system that helps heat the complex in winter. Overall, the system is said to be 25 percent more efficient than a conventional seasonal TES system.

The Delta Award recognizes Dutch companies that offer innovative solutions to the climate-change challenges faced by cities in low-lying, densely populated coastal areas with large river estuaries.

http://www.dutchwatersector.com/news-events/news/12539-if-technology-and-deltasync-win-first-sustainable-urban-delta-awards-2014.html

• Core-shell-like structured graphene aerogel encapsulating paraffin: Shape-stable phase change material for thermal energy storage [Journal of Materials Chemistry A]


• Preparation and characterisation of microencapsulated paraffin wax with polyaniline-based polymer shells for thermal energy storage [Materials Research Innovations]


• Thermal properties of smart microencapsulated paraffin/plaster composites for the thermal regulation of buildings [Energy and Buildings]


• Thermal conductivity of an organic phase change material/expanded graphite composite across the phase change temperature range and a novel thermal conductivity model [Energy Conversion and Management]


• Development of a window shutter with phase change materials: Full scale outdoor experimental approach [Energy and Buildings]

Is there any temperature-regulation problem that phase change material can't solve? CoolCami, a form-fitting camisole, is designed to reduce the discomfort of hot flashes. A cooling liner made from PCMs absorbs the heat generated by a woman's body when a hot flash kicks in. 

The CoolCami company also sells CoolMeMat, designed to provide relief for people who suffer from night sweats. The liners for both products recharge in about an hour at room temperature and provide relief for up to four hours. 

http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/coolcami-launches-first-wearable-product-for-hot-flashes-398170.php 

Ian Hunter and Brad Turner, founding partners of the London-based Materials Council, love concrete, bamboo, crystal titanium and phase change materials.

PCMs "offer a low-tech, low-cost method of passive heat regulation," the industrial designers and materials experts explained in an interview with Design Milk. "We have a little vial of phase change wax on our desks. When that melts it is officially too hot in the studio and time for a game of table tennis in the sun!"

 http://design-milk.com/friday-five-materials-council/

Using CES Selector software, researchers in Spain have created a database of phase change materials to help engineers select the right PCM for thermal energy storage in buildings. More than 300 PCMs have been entered in the database, noting thermophysical properties such as melting temperature and melting enthalpy.

According to an abstract of the research reported in Volume 57 of Energy Procedia: "This database can be completed in the future with other relevant properties ... such as chemical properties (durability in different media etc), reported density or viscosity at a given temperature or even cost of each material."

The full report, "New database on phase change materials for thermal energy storage in buildings to help PCM selection," is available via ScienceDirect. 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876610214016166