Adaptive multi-temperature control for transport and storage containers enabled by phase-change materials

Zhou, Xinchen; Xu, Xiang; Huang, Jiping

doi:10.1038/s41467-023-40988-2

Cited by 12 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 71 publications

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“…The rapid development of the global economy has led to an increasing imbalance between the supply and demand of energy . Thermal energy storage (TES) has become one of the effective means to solve the contradiction between supply and demand of energy utilization. − A US Department of Energy (DOE) report on waste heat recovery states that about 20–50% of the energy consumed in industrial manufacturing processes is lost as waste heat, of which about 60% is below 230 °C . Therefore, efficient utilization of thermal energy through storage technology is significant in promoting sustainable energy development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficient Enhancement of Heat Storage Capacity of Polyethylene Glycol Phase Change Material Based on a Novel Fly Ash Support

Jiang,

Yang,

Song

et al. 2024

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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The development of low-cost energy storage materials and the high-value utilization of fly ash are two major challenges that need to be addressed in the field of renewable energy. This work proposes an alkaline hydrothermal treatment method suitable for fly ash modification and prepares a porous bamboo leaf-like structured supporting material for encapsulating polyethylene glycol (PEG) phase change components. The results show that the prepared modified fly ash-based thermal storage material has an excellent latent heat performance, reaching 103.9 J/g, which is 2.24 times that encapsulated by ordinary fly ash. Meanwhile, the thermal conductivity of the modified composites is increased by 48.6%. After 100 heat storage/release cycles, the latent heat value of PEG/MFA decreases by only 0.028%. The reason is that the bamboo leaf-like structure of the modified fly ash support material provides a larger specific surface area. At the same time, the interaction between the support material and PEG promotes the effective adsorption and filling of the PEG phase change material. Leakage tests show that the maximum filling amount of PEG in the composite is 65 wt %. Furthermore, the prepared phase change heat storage material shows a good temperature regulation ability in simulated environment applications. This work sheds light on developing effective disposal of solid waste in power plants and its applications in the field of energy storage.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficient Enhancement of Heat Storage Capacity of Polyethylene Glycol Phase Change Material Based on a Novel Fly Ash Support

Jiang,

Yang,

Song

et al. 2024

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Muscle‐Inspired Formable Wood‐Based Phase Change Materials

Liu,

Lv,

Zhou

et al. 2024

Advanced Materials

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Phase change materials (PCMs) are crucial for sustainable thermal management in energy‐efficient construction and cold chain logistics, as they can store and release renewable thermal energy. However, traditional PCMs suffer from leakage and a loss of formability above their phase change temperatures, limiting their shape stability and versatility. Inspired by the muscle structure, formable PCMs with a hierarchical structure and solvent‐responsive supramolecular networks based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/wood composites are developed. The material, in its hydrated state, demonstrates low stiffness and pliability due to the weak hydrogen bonding between aligned wood fibers and PVA molecules. Through treatment of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) into the PVA/wood PEG gel (PEG/PVA/W) with strengthened hydrogen bonds, the resulting wood‐based PCMs in the hard and melting states elevate the tensile stress from 10.14 to 80.86 MPa and the stiffness from 420 MPa to 4.8 GPa, making it 530 times stiffer than the PEG/PVA counterpart. Capable of morphing in response to solvent changes, these formable PCMs enable intricate designs for thermal management. Furthermore, supported by a comprehensive life cycle assessment, these shape‐adaptable, recyclable, and biodegradable PCMs with lower environmental footprint present a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics and thermal management materials.

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Thermal Metamaterials for Temperature Maintenance: From Advances in Heat Conduction to Future Convection Prospects

Zhou

2024

Diffusionics

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Maintaining temperature is crucial in both daily life and industrial settings, ensuring human comfort and device functionality. In the quest for energy conservation and emission reduction, several contemporary passive temperature control technologies have emerged, including phase change temperature control, shape memory alloys, solar thermal utilization, sky radiation cooling, and heat pipe systems. However, there is a pressing need for more quantitative methods to further optimize temperature maintenance. With advancements in theoretical thermotics and the emergence of thermal metamaterials, it is clear that temperature fields can be precisely manipulated by fine-tuning thermal and structural parameters. This chapter introduces three innovative devices: the energy-free thermostat, the negative-energy thermostat, and the multi-temperature maintenance container. All are grounded in the principles of thermal metamaterials and primarily operate under conduction heat transfer conditions. When compared with traditional technologies, the unparalleled efficacy of thermal metamaterials in temperature management is evident. Moreover, brief prospects present strategies to improve temperature maintenance under convection heat transfer, thus expanding the application spectrum of thermal metamaterials. This chapter concludes by spotlighting the evolution and interplay of the aforementioned three devices, marking the progression of thermal metamaterials from theoretical ideas to tangible engineering solutions. These insights not only bridge the gap between applied physics and engineering but also underscore the practical potential of thermal metamaterials.

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Adaptive multi-temperature control for transport and storage containers enabled by phase-change materials

Cited by 12 publications

References 71 publications

Efficient Enhancement of Heat Storage Capacity of Polyethylene Glycol Phase Change Material Based on a Novel Fly Ash Support

Efficient Enhancement of Heat Storage Capacity of Polyethylene Glycol Phase Change Material Based on a Novel Fly Ash Support

Muscle‐Inspired Formable Wood‐Based Phase Change Materials

Thermal Metamaterials for Temperature Maintenance: From Advances in Heat Conduction to Future Convection Prospects

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