Phase Change Materials

Phase Change Materials, commonly referred to as PCMs, are products that store and release thermal energy during the processes of melting and freezing. Phase Change Materials release large amounts of energy upon freezing in the form of latent heat but absorb equal amounts of energy from the immediate environment upon melting. This enables thermal energy storage; heat or coolness being stored from one process or period of time and used at a later point in time or transferred to a different location. PCMs can also be used to provide thermal barriers or insulation, particularly useful for industry sectors such as temperature-controlled transport.

Interestingly, the simplest, cheapest and most effective Phase Change Material is water/ice. Unfortunately, its freezing point of 0°C (+32°F) precludes it from the majority of energy storage applications. However, a number of alternative Phase Change Materials have been identified and developed that freeze and melt like water/ice, but at temperatures from the cryogenic range to several hundred degrees centigrade.