Phase change materials (PCMs) integrated into transparent building elements: a review

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCMs) represent an innovative solution that can contribute to the improvement of the energy performance of buildings. Recently a trend towards integrating PCMs into transparent envelope components is observed. This study aims to present the main solutions proposed in the literature for applications in the past few years for PCMs integrated into transparent buildings elements. The temporal development of this application as well as the fundamental principles of its operation is described in detail. The concept of the existing transparent PCM systems is presented, and the rationale of selecting appropriate materials is discussed. This is followed by the current practices in testing the thermal performance of transparent PCMs. The future trends in terms of the current barriers and the potential improvements are discussed. To this end the future technologies of transparent PCMs are also considered.

A study on the effect of ground surface boundary conditions in modelling shallow ground heat exchangers

“…Microencapsulated phase change materials (MEPCMs) have been recognized as potential energy saving materials because they can be used to reduce the mismatch between heating and cooling demands in buildings (Fokaides et al, 2015, Waqas et al, 2015. For example, an experimental study carried out on a novel translucent full scale passive solar MEPCM wall by Berthou et al (Berthou et al, 2015) revealed that it could be used to provide significant improvement of indoor temperatures in both cold and sunny climates.…”

Energy efficiency and thermal performance of lightweight steel-framed (LSF) construction: A review

“…Indeed, many review articles devoted to the description of construction solutions with PCMs and their thermal performance analysis can be found in literature [9,75,[78][79][80][81]83,84,[166][167][168][169][170][171][172][173][174][175][176][177][178][179]. An updated review on PCMs integrated into transparent building elements was recently carried out by Fokaides et al [180]. Cuce and Riffat [181] provided a state-of-the-art review on innovative glazing technologies including those incorporating PCMs.…”

Measurement of four-pane building window filled with a PCM

“…In the study [7], experimental results confirmed supercooling tendencies of calcium chloride hexahydrate (CaCl2.6H2O). Nevertheless, salt hydrates contain nucleating agents which improve nucleating properties and also increase the rate of crystal growth [4]. Nucleating agents can decrease supercooling effect from 20°C to 5°C as is described in [4].…”

“…Nevertheless, salt hydrates contain nucleating agents which improve nucleating properties and also increase the rate of crystal growth [4]. Nucleating agents can decrease supercooling effect from 20°C to 5°C as is described in [4]. Carbon nanofibers, cooper, titanium oxide, potassium sulfate and borax are appropriate nucleating agents as is shown in [12].…”

“…The light transmittance of water agrees with the sensitivity curve of the human eye. Due to the fact, PCMs which contain water are selected for transparent building element [4].…”