DEVELOPMENT OF LOW-COST, HIGH-PERFORMANCE, EASY-TO-APPLY, NON-FLAMMABLE, INORGANIC PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL (PCM) TECHNOLOGY

Summary

The University of Massachusetts Lowell, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, completed a 45-month project (April 2020 - December 2023) focused on developing low-cost, high-performance, non-flammable inorganic phase change materials (PCMs) and packaging for building applications. The project successfully developed 12 stable PCM formulations with phase change temperatures from 10°C to 58°C, exhibiting enthalpies between 130 J/g and 260 J/g, and meeting a cost target of <$15/kWh. Innovative PCM packaging designs were optimized, leading to two invention disclosures. Field testing in North Carolina demonstrated five types of PCM building applications, showing peak temperature time delays of up to 5.5 hours. A pilot fabrication line, estimated at $780,000 for equipment and an additional $100,000 for infrastructure, is planned to produce up to 2,000 samples (64,000 ft²) for further testing and market introduction within 24-36 months.

Key Facts

Source Document

https://example-government.gov/policy-document-link