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 systems-level PCM thermal storage be integrated with complex heat rejection systems?

Systems-level PCM thermal storage with dynamic control and integration with complex heat rejection systems remains a promising opportunity for multidisciplinary research.

What is the thermal storage behavior of a PCM?

Thermal storage behavior of the PCM is compared with pure Cu for (D) heat source temperature (Tsource), (E) stored heat flux (q″stored), and (F) stored energy (E). The temperatures and zones at which melting or solidification occur are key parameters for PCMs. Superheating rarely occurs in PCMs.

What are the design principles for improved thermal storage?

Although device designs are application dependent, general design principles for improved thermal storage do exist. First, the charging or discharging rate for thermal energy storage or release should be maximized to enhance efficiency and avoid superheat.

What is thermal storage using PCMS?

Thermal storage using PCMs has a wide range of applications, ranging from small-scale electronic devices (∼1 mm), to medium-scale building energy thermal storage (∼1 m), to large-scale concentrated solar power generation (∼100 m).

Why do we focus on thermal storage device design & integration?

Here, we focus on thermal storage device design and integration due to the significant need to bridge fundamental materials-level PCM research with applications. Although device designs are application dependent, general design principles for improved thermal storage do exist.