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PhaseChange Matters Newsletter Dec 19 2014

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This is the first issue of the Phase Change Matters e-mail newsletter, 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.

MARKET RESEARCH

Global demand for PCMs projected to hit $1.47 billion by 2019

The global demand for advanced phase change materials is expected to reach $1.47 billion by 2019. The latest research report on the industry by Markets and Markets attributes the growth to increasing demand for advanced PCM in several areas, including thermal energy storage, building/construction, HVAC, cold chain, shipping, packaging/transportation, textiles and electronics.

The main types of advanced PCMs are salt hydrates, paraffins and biobased compounds. “Biobased PCM is estimated to have the highest CAGR from 2014 to 2019,” the report said. “Prices of biobased PCM are also likely to fall significantly during the same period.”

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/advanced-phase-change-material-pcm-market-1087.html

AWARDS

Amsterdam is home to world’s most-sustainable building

The Edge, AmsterdamThe Edge, Deloitte’s new headquarters in Amsterdam, has won BREEAM certification as the world’s most-sustainable building.

The 430,000-square-foot building was designed by PLP Architecture of London. Its energy-efficient design includes passive temperature control, Ethernet-powered LED lighting, 44,000 square feet of rooftop solar panels and an aquifer thermal energy storage unit 500 feet below ground that generates all energy required for heating and cooling.

Seattle building wins ASHRAE technology award

A three-story Seattle office building is one of nine projects recognized for innovative design with an ASHRAE Technology Award. Federal Center South, home to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District, received first place in the new commercial buildings category.

Among the innovative energy conservation technologies incorporated in the 209,000-square-foot building are thermal energy storage using phase change material and “a 100% outside air ventilation system with heat recovery of exhaust serving a raised floor ventilation air distribution system.” 

http://www.esmagazine.com/articles/96914-ashrae-announces-technology-award-winners

Surface water TES system honored

IF Technology of the Netherlands has received a Sustainable Urban Delta Award for its innovative thermal energy storage system for a residential complex in Wageningen. The system takes advantage of temperature differences in surface water near the complex. In summer, for example, warm water is stored in an aquifer thermal storage system that helps heat the complex in winter. Overall, the system is said to be 25 percent more efficient than a conventional seasonal TES system.

http://www.dutchwatersector.com/news-events/news/12539-if-technology-and-deltasync-win-first-sustainable-urban-delta-awards-2014.html

HEALTH CARE

PCMs enlisted in fight against Ebola

Cooling garments powered by phase change material are among the innovations advancing in the U.S. Agency for International Development’s “Fighting Ebola: a Grand Challenge for Development.”

The program, begun in October, is focused on finding innovative ways to help health care workers contain the Ebola virus and provide better care for people who contract it. More than 1,500 ideas from around the world have been submitted to the program.

The first round of awards focuses on improving the safety and comfort of the personal protective equipment worn by health care workers in the heat and humidity of West Africa. 
USAID is partnering with the Global Good Fund/Intellectual Ventures to rapidly evaluate several cooling solutions, including off-the-shelf, rapidly deployable cooling garments now used by military. These garments can be worn under personal protective equipment.
 

RESEARCH ROUNDUP

  • Thermophysical and Mechanical Properties of Hardened Cement Paste with Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials for Energy Storage [Materials]

  • Thermal Performance Evaluation of Two Thermal Energy Storage Tank Design Concepts for Use with a Solid Particle Receiver-Based Solar Power Tower [Energies]

  • Experimental study on solving the blocking for the direct contact mobilized thermal energy storage container [Applied Thermal Engineering]

  • Thermal conductivity enhancement of lauric acid phase change nanocomposite in solid and liquid state with single-walled carbon nanohorn inclusions [Thermochimica Acta]

  • Novel form stable phase change materials based on the composites of polyethylene glycol/polymeric solid-solid phase change material [Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells]

  • Melting and solidification heat transfer characteristics of phase change material in a latent heat storage vessel: Effect of perforated partition plate [International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer]

  • Analysis of new heat exchanger performance in phase change energy storage [Advanced Materials Research]

  • Corrosion of metal containers for use in PCM energy storage [Renewable Energy]

    • GIFT IDEAS

    Ministry of Supply's Apollo dress shirt

  • High-tech clothier Ministry of Supply offers PCM-infused dress shirts, sweaters and even a scarf. It’s the same technology used in spacesuits to regulate an astronaut’s body temperature: Phase change material absorbs heat when the wearer is overheated, then releases it when the wearer is cold.

    http://ministryofsupply.com/collections/shop

  • Glacier Tek’s Chilly Dog® Cool Vest is designed for use by police and military dogs. But any dog out for a walk on a hot humid day deserves to chill out. 

    http://store.coolvest.com/rpcm-chillydog-dog-cooling-vest-black 

  • Fohm Inc.’s Silhouette Pillow, “a pillow that stays cool all night long,” uses phase change material in two ways: PCMs are embedded in the memory foam and in one side of the liner. 


  • Thanks to PCMs, the Kjus Hawk ski jacket “absorbs heat when you have plenty of it, and re-releases it when you need more.” Assuming you have $1,200 to spare. 


  • Oppo’s R5 smartphone, aimed at consumers in China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Australia, uses phase change material to “keep it at a constant cool temperature” and maintain functionality. With a width of 4.85 mm, it is advertised as the world’s thinnest phone.

    http://www.microfinancemonitor.com/2014/10/31/oppo-to-launch-swivel-camera-n3-r5-phone-in-india-in-december

  • Designed by Science Photo Library, these greeting cards feature scanning electron microscope images of PCM-laden microcapsules embedded in fabric. 


    • That’s all for this week. Thanks for your interest in PureTemp. And remember … Phase Change Matters!