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Optically-controlled long-term storage and release of thermal energy in phase-change materials

Author

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  • Grace G. D. Han

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Huashan Li

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Jeffrey C. Grossman

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Thermal energy storage offers enormous potential for a wide range of energy technologies. Phase-change materials offer state-of-the-art thermal storage due to high latent heat. However, spontaneous heat loss from thermally charged phase-change materials to cooler surroundings occurs due to the absence of a significant energy barrier for the liquid–solid transition. This prevents control over the thermal storage, and developing effective methods to address this problem has remained an elusive goal. Herein, we report a combination of photo-switching dopants and organic phase-change materials as a way to introduce an activation energy barrier for phase-change materials solidification and to conserve thermal energy in the materials, allowing them to be triggered optically to release their stored latent heat. This approach enables the retention of thermal energy (about 200 J g−1) in the materials for at least 10 h at temperatures lower than the original crystallization point, unlocking opportunities for portable thermal energy storage systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Grace G. D. Han & Huashan Li & Jeffrey C. Grossman, 2017. "Optically-controlled long-term storage and release of thermal energy in phase-change materials," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-01608-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01608-y
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    Cited by:

    1. Feng, Daili & Feng, Yanhui & Qiu, Lin & Li, Pei & Zang, Yuyang & Zou, Hanying & Yu, Zepei & Zhang, Xinxin, 2019. "Review on nanoporous composite phase change materials: Fabrication, characterization, enhancement and molecular simulation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 578-605.
    2. Grace C. Thaggard & Kyoung Chul Park & Jaewoong Lim & Buddhima K. P. Maldeni Kankanamalage & Johanna Haimerl & Gina R. Wilson & Margaret K. McBride & Kelly L. Forrester & Esther R. Adelson & Virginia , 2023. "Breaking the photoswitch speed limit," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Kishore, Ravi Anant & Bianchi, Marcus V.A. & Booten, Chuck & Vidal, Judith & Jackson, Roderick, 2021. "Enhancing building energy performance by effectively using phase change material and dynamic insulation in walls," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    4. Umair, Malik Muhammad & Zhang, Yuang & Iqbal, Kashif & Zhang, Shufen & Tang, Bingtao, 2019. "Novel strategies and supporting materials applied to shape-stabilize organic phase change materials for thermal energy storage–A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 846-873.
    5. Turunen, Konsta & Yazdani, Maryam Roza & Puupponen, Salla & Santasalo-Aarnio, Annukka & Seppälä, Ari, 2020. "Cold-crystallizing erythritol-polyelectrolyte: Scaling up reliable long-term heat storage material," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    6. Maleki, Mahdi & Imani, Abolhassan & Ahmadi, Rouhollah & Banna Motejadded Emrooz, Hosein & Beitollahi, Ali, 2020. "Low-cost carbon foam as a practical support for organic phase change materials in thermal management," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    7. Yin, Qianqian & Zhu, Ge & Wang, Ruikun & Zhao, Zhenghui, 2024. "Enhancing the thermal storage performance of biochar/paraffin composite phase change materials: Effect of oleophobic modification of biochar," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    8. Paul, John & Pandey, A.K. & Mishra, Yogeshwar Nath & Said, Zafar & Mishra, Yogendra Kumar & Ma, Zhenjun & Jacob, Jeeja & Kadirgama, K. & Samykano, M. & Tyagi, V.V., 2022. "Nano-enhanced organic form stable PCMs for medium temperature solar thermal energy harvesting: Recent progresses, challenges, and opportunities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    9. Golmohamadi, Hessam & Larsen, Kim Guldstrand & Jensen, Peter Gjøl & Hasrat, Imran Riaz, 2022. "Integration of flexibility potentials of district heating systems into electricity markets: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    10. Chen, Changzhong & Chen, Rong & Zhao, Tangyuan & Wang, Linge, 2022. "A comparative study of linear polyurea and crosslinked polyurea as supports to stabilize polyethylene glycol for thermal energy storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 535-547.
    11. Xu, Z.Y. & Wang, R.Z., 2019. "Absorption seasonal thermal storage cycle with high energy storage density through multi-stage output," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 1086-1096.
    12. Chang, Yunwei & Gu, Heng & Yao, Xiaoyan & Qing, Chunyao & Zou, Deqiu, 2024. "Preparation of a novel microencapsulated phase change material (MEPCM)/adipic acid ceramic composite and its thermal performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).

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