Phase change materials – overview

Environment
Published: 31 August 2006
Edited: 30 August 2018
by Phil Sheppard
ISSN: 2207-466X

This note was reviewed in August 2018 and retained for legacy.

This paper introduces phase change materials (PCMs) as an alternative energy storage methodology to current latent heat exchange systems commonly used in buildings such as thermal mass.  A potential application in light weight construction offers passive energy exchange in the absence of fabric energy storage.

Note Summary
  1. Introduction
  2. Technology status
  3. Market status
  4. Relevant legislation
  5. Environmental and economic benefits
  6. Environmental credentials