Phase change materials and their energy storage

Can phase change materials be used in energy storage?

This paper reviews previous work on latent heat storage and provides an insight to recent efforts to develop new classes of phase change materials (PCMs) for use in energy storage. Three aspects have been the focus of this review: PCM materials, encapsulation and applications.

What are phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal energy storage applications?

Fig. 1. Bibliometric analysis of (a) journal publications and (b) the patents, related to PCMs for thermal energy storage applications. The materials used for latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) are called Phase Change Materials (PCMs) .

Can phase change materials be used for thermal management?

This paper presents a general review of significant recent studies that utilize phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal management purposes of electronics and energy storage. It introduces the causes of electronic devises failure and which methods to control their fails.

What are the applications of phase change materials?

Major applications of phase change materials The application of energy storage with phase change is not limited to solar energy heating and cooling but has also been considered in other applications as discussed in the following sections. 4.1.

What is a phase change material (PCM)?

A phase change material (PCM) is a substance made up of molecules that is primarily used for storing thermal energy. The principle behind its function is straightforward: when the temperature rises, the material undergoes a phase change from solid to liquid (melting) and absorbs energy during this process.

What types of phase change materials are used in latent heat storage?

Phase change materials can be classified into solid–solid, solid–liquid, solid–gas, and liquid–gas materials, as shown in Fig. 2 . Solid–liquid phase change materials (PCMs), including organic, inorganic, and eutectic types, are the most suitable for latent heat storage (LHS) applications.