Phase change materials absorb and release a considerable amount of thermal energy during a phase transition, typically solid-to-liquid, or liquid-to-solid. Due to this behavior, these materials can be used to store excess energy that might otherwise be lost. For example, they can be used in buildings to store excess heat generated by solar panels, which is then released as the temperature drops.
As well as for the thermal management of buildings, PCMs can be used in a wide variety of environments where temperature regulation or energy storage is key. This can range from storing the excess thermal energy from solar power plants to the transportation or temporary storage of fresh food, medical samples, and pharmaceuticals. They are also found in specialist textiles, automotive thermal management, and hot-cold health care therapies.
As new types of energy storage systems are being developed, understanding the thermal behavior of PCMs is critical. The four main techniques of DSC, TGA, TMA, and DMA are particularly effective for investigating both the PCM itself and the suitability of the encapsulation material that contains the PCM.
Watch the on-demand webinar and dive deeper into the principles of thermal energy storage. We share the best thermal analysis techniques for studying PCMs and you will also find real-life application examples, which you can apply to your own materials.