Identifying New Green Materials for Thermal Energy Storage

摘要

Researchers from Aalto University in Finland have developed a technique for turning lignin from renewable biomass into hybrid nanocapsules that show potential as phase change materials(PCMs).Their recent paper [1],is the 9000th to be published as a result of research carried out at Diamond Light Source,the UK's national synchrotron,which involved the use of light scattering and microscopy applications.The findings represent an important step towards the sustainable expansion of PCMs in thermal energy storage applications,a key technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change."Given 11 of the 12 warmest years in Europe have occurred since 2000-we know that failure to tackle climate change will threaten human well-being,ecosystems and economies.So,with 27% of global energy consumption occurring in the residential sector and demand growing(particularly in developing countries),it is becoming increasingly important to develop methods for harvesting and storing thermal energy.One of the most promising options is based on phase-change materials(PCMs)that absorb or release large amounts of heat when they change state,e.g.from solid to liquid and vice versa.PCMs act,in effect,like rechargeable batteries,but storing thermal energy rather than electrical energy,"said principal beamline scientist at Diamond,Nathan Cowieson.