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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2011

Phase change material for temperature control and material storage

A phase change material comprising a mixture of water and deuterium oxide is described, wherein the mole fraction of deuterium oxide is selected so that the mixture has a selected phase change temperature within a range between 0.degree. C. and 4.degree. C. The mixture is placed in a container and used for passive storage and transport of biomaterials and other temperature sensitive materials. Gels, nucleating agents, freezing point depression materials and colorants may be added to enhance the characteristics of the mixture.

Wessling, Jr., Francis C.↗
DOE OSTI2011

Efficient Heat Storage Materials: Metallic Composites Phase-Change Materials for High-Temperature Thermal Energy Storage

HEATS Project: MIT is developing efficient heat storage materials for use in solar and nuclear power plants. Heat storage materials are critical to the energy storage process. In solar thermal storage systems, heat can be stored in these materials during the day and released at night—when the sun’s not out—to drive a turbine and produce electricity. In nuclear storage systems, heat can be stored in these materials at night and released to produce electricity during daytime peak-demand hours. MIT is designing nanostructured heat storage materials that can store a large amount of heat per unit mass and volume. To do this, MIT is using phase change materials, which absorb a large amount of latent heat to melt from solid to liquid. MIT’s heat storage materials are designed to melt at high temperatures and conduct heat well—this makes them efficient at storing and releasing heat and enhances the overall efficiency of the thermal storage and energy-generation process. MIT’s low-cost heat storage materials also have a long life cycle, which further enhances their efficiency.

ARPA-E↗
DOE OSTI2022

Techno-Economic Analysis of Dynamic Building Envelopes Comprising Phase Change Materials and Switchable Insulations

Integrating phase change materials (PCMs) in building envelopes is a recognized technique to reduce the space heating/cooling loads and provide load shedding and shifting capacity. However, PCM benefits have been found to reduce dramatically with increase in the insulation requirements. Dynamic building envelopes that can alter their thermal resistance based on the indoor and outdoor conditions can effectively harness free ambient heating/cooling, thereby greatly enhancing the benefits of the PCM-integrated envelope in managing thermal loads. In this study, we examine various combinations of PCMs and switchable insulations and compare their combined impact on heat flow through the building envelope. Using numerical analysis, we investigate the PCM- and switchable insulation-integrated building walls, calculate the potential energy saving benefits compared to the conventional static walls, and finally perform techno-economic analysis to estimate the acceptable cost of the technology under various payback period scenarios.

dynamic building envelopes↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Novel and Scalable Method for Microencapsulating Salt Hydrate Phase Change Materials in Core–Shell Fibers

Phase change materials (PCMs) are in high demand for applications such as thermal energy storage in buildings, electronics cooling, and thermal management of electric vehicle batteries and data centers. Among these materials, salt hydrate PCMs are particularly attractive due to their high thermal energy storage capacity and low cost. However, they suffer from two major issues: leakage in the melted phase and phase segregation during phase transitions. Microencapsulation is the primary process capable of addressing both of these challenges. However, there is no reliable or scalable method available for microencapsulating salt hydrate PCMs. As a result, the full potential of salt hydrates for building and data center applications has yet to be realized. In this work, we present an innovative method for the microencapsulation of salt hydrate PCMs using a co‐axial pushing technique. This process creates core–shell fibers, with the salt hydrate as the core and a polymer as the shell. Our approach demonstrates strong potential for scalable microencapsulation of salt hydrate PCMs. In conclusion, achieving scalability could enable their widespread use in applications such as data center cooling, battery thermal management, and building climate control.

Sharma, Jaswinder [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (↗
DOE OSTI2011

High-Temperature Phase Change Materials (PCM) Candidates for Thermal Energy Storage (TES) Applications

It is clearly understood that lower overall costs are a key factor to make renewable energy technologies competitive with traditional energy sources. Energy storage technology is one path to increase the value and reduce the cost of all renewable energy supplies. Concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies have the ability to dispatch electrical output to match peak demand periods by employingthermal energy storage (TES). Energy storage technologies require efficient materials with high energy density. Latent heat TES systems using phase change material (PCM) are useful because of their ability to charge and discharge a large amount of heat from a small mass at constant temperature during a phase transformation like melting-solidification. PCM technology relies on the energyabsorption/liberation of the latent heat during a physical transformation. The main objective of this report is to provide an assessment of molten salts and metallic alloys proposed as candidate PCMs for TES applications, particularly in solar parabolic trough electrical power plants at a temperature range from 300..deg..C to 500..deg.. C. The physical properties most relevant for PCMs servicewere reviewed from the candidate selection list. Some of the PCM candidates were characterized for: chemical stability with some container materials; phase change transformation temperatures; and latent heats.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2010

Theoretical and Experimental Thermal Performance Analysis of Complex Thermal Storage Membrane Containing Bio-Based Phase Change Material (PCM)

Since 2000, an ORNL research team has been testing different configurations of PCM-enhanced building envelop components to be used in residential and commercial buildings. During 2009, a novel type of thermal storage membrane was evaluated for building envelope applications. Bio-based PCM was encapsulated between two layers of heavy-duty plastic film forming a complex array of small PCM cells. Today, a large group of PCM products are packaged in such complex PCM containers or foils containing arrays of PCM pouches of different shapes and sizes. The transient characteristics of PCM-enhanced building envelope materials depend on the quality and amount of PCM, which is very often difficult to estimate because of the complex geometry of many PCM heat sinks. The only widely used small-scale analysis method used to evaluate the dynamic characteristics of PCM-enhanced building products is the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Unfortunately, this method requires relatively uniform, and very small, specimens of the material. However, in numerous building thermal storage applications, PCM products are not uniformly distributed across the surface area, making the results of traditional DSC measurements unrealistic for these products. In addition, most of the PCM-enhanced building products contain blends of PCM with fire retardants and chemical stabilizers. This combination of non-uniform distribution and non-homogenous composition make it nearly impossible to select a representative small specimen suitable for DSC tests. Recognizing these DSC limitations, ORNL developed a new methodology for performing dynamic heat flow analysis of complex PCM-enhanced building materials. An experimental analytical protocol to analyze the dynamic characteristics of PCM thermal storage makes use of larger specimens in a conventional heat-flow meter apparatus, and combines these experimental measurements with three-dimensional (3-D) finite-difference modeling and whole building energy simulations. Based on these dynamic tests and modeling, ORNL researchers then developed a simplified one-dimensional (1-D) model of the PCM-enhanced building component that can be easily used in whole-building simulations. This paper describes this experimental-analytical methodology as used in the analysis of an insulation assembly containing a complex array of PCM pouches. Based on the presented short example of whole building energy analysis, this paper describes step-by-step how energy simulation results can be used for optimization of PCM-enhanced building envelopes. Limited results of whole building energy simulations using the EnergyPlus program are presented as well.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Neuromorphic Photonics Based on Phase Change Materials

Neuromorphic photonics devices based on phase change materials (PCMs) and silicon photonics technology have emerged as promising solutions for addressing the limitations of traditional spiking neural networks in terms of scalability, response delay, and energy consumption. In this review, we provide a comprehensive analysis of various PCMs used in neuromorphic devices, comparing their optical properties and discussing their applications. We explore materials such as GST (Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 ), GeTe-Sb 2 Te 3 , GSST (Ge 2 Sb 2 Se 4 Te 1 ), Sb 2 S 3 /Sb 2 Se 3 , Sc 0.2 Sb 2 Te 3 (SST), and In 2 Se 3 , highlighting their advantages and challenges in terms of erasure power consumption, response rate, material lifetime, and on-chip insertion loss. By investigating the integration of different PCMs with silicon-based optoelectronics, this review aims to identify potential breakthroughs in computational performance and scalability of photonic spiking neural networks. Further research and development are essential to optimize these materials and overcome their limitations, paving the way for more efficient and high-performance photonic neuromorphic devices in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Atomic scale insight into the amorphous structure of Cu doped GeTe phase-change material

GeTe shows promising application as a recording material for phase-change nonvolatile memory due to its fast crystallization speed and extraordinary amorphous stability. To further improve the performance of GeTe, various transition metals, such as copper, have been doped in GeTe in recent works. However, the effect of the doped transition metals on the stability of amorphous GeTe is not known. Here, we shed light on this problem for the system of Cu doped GeTe by means of ab initio molecular dynamics calculations. Our results show that the doped Cu atoms tend to agglomerate in amorphous GeTe. Further, base on analyzing the pair correlation functions, coordination numbers and bond angle distributions, remarkable changes in the local structure of amorphous GeTe induced by Cu are obviously seen. The present work may provide some clues for understanding the effect of early transition metals on the local structure of amorphous phase-change compounds, and hence should be helpful for optimizing the structure and performance of phase-change materials by doping transition metals.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2012

Verification and Validation of EnergyPlus Phase Change Material Model for Opaque Wall Assemblies

Phase change materials (PCMs) represent a technology that may reduce peak loads and HVAC energy consumption in buildings. A few building energy simulation programs have the capability to simulate PCMs, but their accuracy has not been completely tested. This study shows the procedure used to verify and validate the PCM model in EnergyPlus using a similar approach as dictated by ASHRAE Standard 140, which consists of analytical verification, comparative testing, and empirical validation. This process was valuable, as two bugs were identified and fixed in the PCM model, and version 7.1 of EnergyPlus will have a validated PCM model. Preliminary results using whole-building energy analysis show that careful analysis should be done when designing PCMs in homes, as their thermal performance depends on several variables such as PCM properties and location in the building envelope.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2012

Verification and Validation of EnergyPlus Conduction Finite Difference and Phase Change Material Models for Opaque Wall Assemblies

Phase change materials (PCMs) represent a potential technology to reduce peak loads and HVAC energy consumption in buildings. There are few building energy simulation programs that have the capability to simulate PCM but their accuracy has not been completely tested. This report summarizes NREL efforts to develop diagnostic tests cases to obtain accurate energy simulations when PCMs are modeled in residential buildings.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2023

Techno-Economic Analysis of Dynamic Building Envelopes Comprising Phase Change Materials and Switchable Insulations: Preprint

Integrating phase change materials (PCMs) in building envelopes is a recognized technique to reduce the space heating/cooling loads and provide load shedding and shifting capacity. However, PCM benefits have been found to reduce dramatically with increase in the insulation requirements. Dynamic building envelopes that can alter their thermal resistance based on the indoor and outdoor conditions can effectively harness free ambient heating/cooling, thereby greatly enhancing the benefits of the PCM-integrated envelope in managing thermal loads. In this study, we examine various combinations of PCMs and switchable insulations and compare their combined impact on heat flow through the building envelope. Using numerical analysis, we investigate the PCM- and switchable insulation-integrated building walls, calculate the potential energy saving benefits compared to the conventional static walls, and finally perform technoeconomic analysis to estimate the acceptable cost of the technology under various payback period scenarios.

dynamic building envelopes↗
NASA NTRS2010

Phase Change Material Trade Study: A Comparison Between Wax and Water for Manned Spacecraft

Phase change material heat sinks have been recognized as an important tool in optimizing thermal control systems for space exploration vehicles and habitats that must deal with widely varying thermal loads and environments. In order to better focus technology investment in this arena, NASA has supported a trade study with the objective of identifying where the best potential pay-off can be found among identified aqueous and paraffin wax phase change materials and phase change material heat sink design approaches. The study used a representative exploration mission with well understood parameters to support the trade. Additional sensitivity studies were performed to ensure the applicability of study results across varying systems and destinations. Results from the study indicate that a water ice PCM heat sink has the potential to decrease the equivalent system mass of the mission s vehicle through a combination of a smaller heat sink and a slight 5% increase in radiator size or the addition of a lightweight heat pump. An evaluation of existing and emerging PCM heat sink technologies indicates that further significant mass savings should be achievable through continued development of those technologies. The largest mass savings may be realized by managing the location of the liquid and the solid in the heat sink to eliminate the melting and freezing pressure of wax and water, respectively, while also accommodating the high structural loads expected on future manned launch vehicles.

Quinn, Gregory↗
NASA NTRS2011

Phase Change Material Trade Study: A Comparison Between Wax and Water for Manned Spacecraft

Phase change material heat sinks have been recognized as an important tool in optimizing thermal control systems for space exploration vehicles and habitats that must deal with widely varying thermal loads and environments. In order to better focus technology investment in this arena, NASA has supported a trade study with the objective of identifying where the best potential pay-off can be found among identified aqueous and paraffin wax phase change materials and phase change material heat sink design approaches. The study used a representative exploration mission with well understood parameters to support the trade. Additional sensitivity studies were performed to ensure the applicability of study results across varying systems and destinations. Results from the study indicate that replacing a wax PCM heat sink with a water ice PCM heat sink has the potential to decrease the equivalent system mass of the mission s vehicle through a combination of a smaller heat sink and a slight 5% increase in radiator size or the addition of a lightweight heat pump. An evaluation of existing and emerging PCM heat sink technologies indicates that further mass savings should be achievable through continued development of those technologies. The largest mass savings may be realized by eliminating the melting and freezing pressure of wax and water, respectively.

Quinn, Gregory↗
NASA NTRS2016

A Liquid-Liquid Thermoelectric Heat Exchanger as a Heat Pump for Testing Phase Change Material Heat Exchangers

The primary objective of the Phase Change HX payload on the International Space Station (ISS) is to test and demonstrate the viability and performance of Phase Change Material Heat Exchangers (PCM HX). The system was required to pump a working fluid through a PCM HX to promote the phase change material to freeze and thaw as expected on Orion's Multipurpose Crew Vehicle. Due to limitations on ISS's Internal Thermal Control System, a heat pump was needed on the Phase Change HX payload to help with reducing the working fluid's temperature to below 0degC (32degF). This paper will review the design and development of a TEC based liquid-liquid heat exchanger as a way to vary to fluid temperature for the freeze and thaw phase of the PCM HX. Specifically, the paper will review the design of custom coldplates and sizing for the required heat removal of the HX.

Sheth, Rubik B.↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Novel Approach for Microencapsulating Salt Hydrate-Based Phase Change Materials

Energy storage technologies, particularly those utilizing phase change materials (PCMs), have gained attention for their high energy density and efficient thermal management. PCMs, which store energy through solid-liquid phase transitions, can efficiently capture and release thermal energy, but face the challenge of leakage during the phase change process. Inorganic PCMs, such as salt hydrates, offer high energy storage capacity, but are difficult to encapsulate due to their corrosive nature. Conventional encapsulation techniques for inorganic PCMs are limited, particularly for scalable applications. In this work, we present an innovative method for the encapsulation of salt hydrate-based inorganic PCMs (CaCl 2 ·6H 2 O) using co-axial electrospinning. The process involves the creation of co-axial fibers, with salt hydrate as the core and polymer (e.g., PVP) as the outer shell, effectively preventing leakage and improving the stability of the PCM. This approach demonstrates the potential for scalable microencapsulation of inorganic PCMs, marking the first report of using co-axial electrospinning for this purpose. This novel technique could contribute to enhancing the performance and applicability of PCMs in thermal energy storage systems and other energy efficiency applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Mechanical properties and microscale changes of geopolymer concrete and Portland cement concrete containing micro-encapsulated phase change materials

The effect of micro-encapsulated phase change materials (MPCM) in solid and liquid states on the mechanical properties and microstructure of geopolymer and Portland cement concretes is investigated. Geopolymer concrete (GPC) and Portland cement concrete (PCC) containing different amounts of MPCM were prepared and cured at both 20 °C and 40 °C. The results revealed that the compressive strength of both GPC and PCC decreases with the addition of MPCM. Whether the PCM is in solid (20 °C) or liquid (40 °C) state did not significantly affect the mechanical properties of GPC, while melting the PCM was found to reduce the strength of PCC. X-ray tomography imaging was utilized to examine the effect of MPCM on the porosity of the samples. SEM imaging reveals that air gaps are formed between the microcapsules and the surrounding concrete matrix.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗