The Phase Change Matters e-mail newsletter is a weekly summary of the latest news and research on phase change materials and thermal energy storage. To subscribe, visit www.puretemp.com/subscribe. For more frequent updates, follow @puretemp on Twitter or visit the Phase Change Matters blog, www.puretemp.com/pcmatters.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
PepsiCo seeks technology for thermally responsive beverage containers
PepsiCo is looking for thermally responsive material technology for use in beverage containers.
NineSigma, an organization that matches large manufacturers with technology providers worldwide, is managing the search.
Conceptual approaches are of interest provided there is a clear path to commercialization. A successful technology will:
• Provide the desired thermal properties for carbonated soft drinks in PET
• Be recyclable and environmentally sustainable
• Be capable of running on standard off-the-shelf labeling equipment
• Delight the customer, in feel and touch
• Must be non-toxic
• Be cost-effective
Additional desirable features:
• Applicable to a wide variety of packaging formats (PET, glass, Al, etc.)
• Relevant to broad beverage product portfolio (juices, tea, water, dairy, etc.)
• Applicable to U.S. and global markets
• GRAS approved
The path to commercialization should be shorter than two years; respondents may indicate their required timeframe if longer than that. Questions may be directed to Jonathan Jakischa, innovation technology associate at NineSigma. The submission deadline is March 30.
PATENTS
Systems for thermal management
U.S. patent application 20180068924 (Henkel IP & Holding GmbH, Dusseldorf, Germany):
“A heat-dispersing article comprising: a first conductive/protective layer, one or more porous thermally conductive, low-profile structure(s), impregnated with a sufficient quantity of a formulated phase change material (PCM) so as to substantially cover the surface and voids of said porous thermally conductive, low-profile structure, wherein said formulated PCM comprises said PCM containing 5-20% by weight of a gelling agent mixed with said PCM, and a second conductive/protective layer, wherein said one or more porous thermally conductive, low-profile structure(s) are sandwiched between said first and second conductive/protective layers, and wherein said article has: a latency of at least 100 J/cc, and an effective thermal conductivity of at least 10 W/mK.”
IN BRIEF
• “Life Cycle Assessment of Thermal Energy Storage Materials, Components and System Concepts” (Björn Nienborg, Fraunhofer ISE) and “Development of PCM Based on the Prediction of Phase Diagrams of Salt Hydrate Mixtures” (Christoph Rathgeber, ZAE Bayern) are among more than a dozen presentations on thermal storage at next week’s Energy Storage Europe expo and conference in Düsseldorf, Germany.
• The energy storage company SaltX Technology will collaborate with specialty paper producer Ahlstrom-Munksjö to develop a large-scale manufacturing method for graphene-coated insulation paper. The paper will carry SaltX’s patented nano coated salt, increasing the heat conductivity of the SaltX material by up to five times.
• The March 2018 issue of the CIBSE Journal features a continuing professional development module sponsored by Monodraught: “Operating and enhancing PCM-cooled ventilation systems in office applications.”
• New from Persistence Market Research: “Advanced Phase Change Material (PCM) Market – Global Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2020” and “Global Insulated Shipping Containers Market Research Report 2018“
• New from QYResearch: “Global Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage (TES) Industry 2018 Market Research Report“
• Registration is open for an Industrial Fabrics Association International webinar on recent smart fabric applications used in a number of government, commercial, medical and consumer market segments. The cost for the March 15 webinar, initially presented in January, is $29 for association members, $79 for non-members.
• Arizona State University researchers have shed new light on the anomalous properties of water, using specially treated water mixed with another chemical. “As they changed the temperature at high pressures,” Gizmodo reports, “they noticed a sharp change in the water’s molecular behaviour as it seemed to change phases – from a liquid to a liquid.”
• The first Lego blocks made from plant-based plastic sourced from sugar cane will go on sale later this year. Lego’s current blocks are made from oil-based plastics.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking bids to replace a chiller at the department’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. The chiller was originally installed in 1995 to make ice at night for a thermal energy storage system.
• Sunamp Ltd. is among 35 finalists preparing to pitch to investors at Cleantech Innovate in London on March 20.
• GTI, a not-for-profit research organization based in Illinois, has been invited to present its hybrid solar energy system project at ARPA-E‘s Congressional Showcase March 12. The system stores thermal energy in inert particles for on-demand use.
RESEARCH ROUNDUP
For our full list of recent academic research, see puretemp.com/academic. Here are highlights from the past week:
From Green Chemistry:
• Leakage-proof Phase Change Composites Supported by Biomass Carbon Aerogels from Succulents
From Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering:
• Modified phase change microcapsules with calcium carbonate and graphene oxide shell for enhanced energy storage and leakage prevention
From Applied Thermal Engineering:
• Experimental Investigation of a Novel Hybrid Cooling Method for Lithium-ion Batteries
From IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid:
• A Novel Thermal Energy Storage System in Smart Building Based on Phase Change Material
From Energies:
• Study of Material Compatibility for a Thermal Energy Storage System with Phase Change Material
From Applied Energy:
• Is a self-sufficient building energy efficient? Lesson learned from a case study in Mediterranean climate
From Solar Energy:
• A review of the application of carbon materials in solar thermal energy storage
From Energy and Buildings:
• Thermal performance analysis of combined solar collector with triple concentric-tube latent heat storage systems
From Energy:
• Investigation on the charging process of a multi-PCM latent heat thermal energy storage unit for use in conventional air-conditioning systems
From Energy Conversion and Management:
• Nanoencapsulated phase change materials with polymer-SiO2 hybrid shell materials: Compositions, morphologies, and properties
From Powder Technology:
• Coating approach for a Phase Change Material (PCM)
NETWORKING
Connect with PCM experts and industry leaders on LinkedIn
More than 1,200 people have joined a LinkedIn group devoted to the discussion of phase change material and thermal energy storage. The Phase Change Matters group is an interactive complement to the award-winning blog and newsletter of the same name.
 Mary Anne White |