Phase Change Materials (PCM) store and release thermal energy through solid-liquid transitions at near-constant temperature, exploiting latent heat capacities orders of magnitude greater than sensible heat storage. Research spans material classes — paraffins, salt hydrates, fatty acids, eutectic mixtures — alongside critical challenges in thermal conductivity enhancement, supercooling mitigation, long-term cycling stability, and containment through micro- or macroencapsulation.
System-level integration addresses heat exchanger geometry, PCM slurries, and nano-composite matrices. Applications range from building thermal regulation and cold-chain logistics to grid-scale energy storage and spacecraft thermal control.
This page aggregates the latest peer-reviewed publications and granted patents, reflecting the full technical breadth of PCM research as it stands today.
This is our latest selection of worldwide publications and patents in english on Phase Change Material (PCM), between many scientific online journals, classified and focused on Latent heat storage, thermal energy storage, enthalpy, melting point, solidification, nucleation, supercooling, thermal conductivity enhancement, encapsulation, microencapsulation, macroencapsulation, paraffin wax, fatty acids, salt hydrates, eutectic mixture, heat of fusion, thermal cycling stability, phase transition temperature, Stefan problem, mushy zone, volumetric expansion, PCM slurry, nano-enhanced PCM, graphene foam matrix, metal foam impregnation, finned heat exchanger, thermophysical characterization, DSC calorimetry, thermal energy density, shape-stabilized PCM and phase change material.
Method to increase the surface area of lithium metal
Patent published on the 2026-05-21 in US under Ref US20260138182 by ENPOWER GREENTECH INC [US] (Wang Yang [us], Skelly Brendan T [us], Hu Zhendong [us], Che Yong [us])
Abstract: Disclosed is a method to increase the surface area of lithium metal. The method includes at least four steps. The first step is melting bulk lithium metal. The second step is adding a particle stabilizing agent to the molten lithium. Alternatively, the particle stabilizing agent can be heated to a temperature above the melting point of the lithium metal and then the bulk lithium material is added to the heated particle stabilizing agent. The third step is agitating the mixture until the lithium [...]
Our summary: A method to increase the surface area of lithium metal involves melting bulk lithium and adding a particle stabilizing agent. The mixture is agitated to achieve the desired particle size before cooling to stabilize the lithium particles. This process enhances the effective surface area of the lithium metal.
Lithium metal, surface area, particle stabilizing agent, agglomeration
Patent
Sustainable 2-alkyltetrahydrofuran fuels for compression ignition engines
Patent published on the 2026-05-21 in US under Ref US20260139195 by US NAVY [US] (Davis Matthew C [us])
Abstract: The current invention describes a high-throughput catalytic process for the production of diesel fuel from domestic agricultural products, furfuraldehyde and plant fatty acids. In the present process, reacting medium and long chain fatty anhydrides (such as capric, caprylic, lauric and palmitic) with furfuraldehyde by a Perkin condensation produces 2-n-alkenylfurans. In a second step, the 2-n-alkenylfurans are hydrogenated to form 2-n-alkyltetrahydrofurans. Basic fuel property testing (melting p[...]
Our summary: The invention presents a method for producing sustainable 2-alkyltetrahydrofuran fuels from agricultural products. It involves a two-step process starting with the reaction of fatty anhydrides with furfuraldehyde to create 2-n-alkenylfurans, followed by hydrogenation. Testing shows that the resulting fuels possess favorable properties for use in diesel engines.
Sustainable fuels, catalytic process, diesel fuel, hydrogenation
Patent
Low energy process for transesterification of extracted lipids from microbial degradation of plastic
Patent published on the 2026-05-21 in US under Ref US20260139281 by BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE [US] (Garbark Daniel B [us], Cafmeyer Jeffrey T [us], Lilly Jacob [us])
Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for the enzymatic transesterification of fatty acids or fatty acid derived products to produce lubricant esters. The process involves a reaction mixture containing a fatty acid or fatty acid-derived substrate, an alcohol and a lipolytic enzyme catalyst. A reactive column with a porous frit is employed through which air is bubbled into a mixture of fatty acid derivatives, alcohol and an immobilized lipase catalyst. The air bubbles promote mixing and the [...]
Our summary: The invention describes a low energy method for enzymatic transesterification of fatty acids into lubricant esters. It utilizes a reaction mixture with air bubbling to enhance mixing and remove volatile by-products. This process achieves over 99 mol % conversion at ambient temperature, outperforming traditional thermochemical methods.
transesterification, enzymatic process, lipolytic enzyme, ambient temperature
Patent
Display panel and display apparatus
Patent published on the 2026-05-21 in WO under Ref WO2026102760 by BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD [CN] (Xu Chuanxiang [cn], Shu Shi [cn], Yao Qi [cn], Yuan Guangcai [cn], Yan Yutong [cn], Yue Yang [cn], Yu Yong [cn], Liu Xinhua [cn], Li Xiang [cn])
Abstract: The present application relates to the technical field of display, and discloses a display panel and a display apparatus. The display panel comprises a drive backplane, a light-emitting device, an encapsulation layer, a touch layer, a first dimming layer, and a second dimming layer. The touch layer has multiple first openings, the first dimming layer covers inner walls of the first openings and has multiple second openings, at least a portion of the second dimming layer is located in the second [...]
Our summary: The display panel includes a drive backplane and multiple layers for light emission. The touch layer features openings that enhance total light reflection, improving brightness and efficiency. This design reduces power consumption and extends the panel s service life.
display panel, light-emitting device, dimming layer, touch layer
Patent
Semiconductor devices
Patent published on the 2026-05-21 in US under Ref US20260143678 by SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD [KR] (Sim Kihyung [kr], Cho Hyungki [kr], Moon Kyeongju [kr], Woo Gunjoo [kr], Hong Minji [kr])
Abstract: [0000] A semiconductor device includes a mold line extending in a first horizontal direction, an active semiconductor layer on a sidewall of the mold line and including a first oxide semiconductor, a word line extending along a first sidewall of the active semiconductor layer in the first horizontal direction, a cell capacitor on a top surface of the active semiconductor layer, a bit line on a bottom surface of the active semiconductor layer opposite the top surface and extending in a second hor[...]
Our summary: A semiconductor device features a mold line and an active semiconductor layer with a word line and cell capacitor. The device includes a bit line and an encapsulation line made of a specific metal. The active layer utilizes an oxide semiconductor for its functionality.
semiconductor devices, oxide semiconductor, encapsulation line, metal materials
Patent
In-situ detection system involving multi measurements coupling with nucleation reactor
Patent published on the 2026-05-21 in US under Ref US20260140033 by QUZHOU RESOURCE AND CHEMICAL INNOVATION RESEARCH INST [CN] (Liu Yanan [cn], Niu Songyu [cn], Li Jingyu [cn], Li Dianqing [cn], Lin Yanjun [cn], Han Jingbin [cn], Duan Xue [cn])
Abstract: [0000] An in-situ detection system involving multi measurements coupling with a nucleation reactor includes a crystal nucleus transient evolution imaging system and a time-resolved detection system which are in-situ connected with a rotating micro-liquid film reactor. A micro negative pressure sampler is made to capture nucleation particles in high-speed shear field and enter the visible observation area. The sampler is in-situ connected with a high-speed camera and microscope objective to obtai[...]
Our summary: The system integrates multi measurements with a nucleation reactor. It captures transient evolution of crystal nuclei using a micro negative pressure sampler. A time-resolved detection system enables microsecond full spectrum acquisition.
in-situ detection, nucleation reactor, transient evolution imaging, time-resolved detection
Patent
The Effect of Post-Heat Treatments on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a L-PBF CoCrNi–AlTi Medium-Entropy Alloy
Published on 2026-02-03 by Xiaojing Xiong, Xiaodong Nong, Libin Yu, Xianzhao Meng, Chunjia Mo, Yunjie Bi, Hui Ding @MDPI
Abstract: A CoCrNi-AlTi medium-entropy alloy was fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), and its microstructural evolution and mechanical response during aging at 500–900 °C for 1 h were systematically investigated. The as-built alloy exhibits a hierarchical microstructure consisting of elongated columnar grains and dislocation-rich cellular substructures, which is associated with an excellent strength–ductility combination (YS: 848 MPa, UTS: 1136 MPa, EF: 3[...]
Our summary: The study investigates the effects of post-heat treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a CoCrNi-AlTi medium-entropy alloy fabricated via laser powder bed fusion. Aging at temperatures between 500-900 °C enhances hardness and tensile strength, with peak performance noted at 800 °C. The research highlights the role of L-PBF-induced defect structures in influencing precipitation behavior and the strength-ductility trade-off during heat treatment.
L-PBF, CoCrNi-AlTi, microstructure, mechanical properties
Publication
Enhancing the Interaction Between Pd Thin Films and Hydrogen via Atomic Stepped Interface Structures
Published on 2026-02-03 by Yanxia Liang, Linghui Hou, Xinhua Ma, Dahai Liu, Hui Zhao, Tong Shi, Yong Fan, Wuyun Xiao @MDPI
Abstract: Highly active interfaces are crucial to the hydrogen adsorption performance of nanomaterials. However, it remains challenging to conveniently and efficiently regulate atomic stacking characteristics. Here, we present a straightforward yet effective strategy for generating a high density of stepped atoms at the surface of thin films by controlling the migration behavior of sputtered atoms during deposition. Tuning sputtering power and substrate temperature yields wide-scale stepped interface stru[...]
Our summary: This study presents a method to enhance hydrogen adsorption in Pd thin films by creating high-density stepped atomic interfaces. The approach involves controlling sputtering power and substrate temperature to generate irregular conical columnar nanocrystals. The resulting materials demonstrate significantly improved hydrogen adsorption performance compared to conventional Pd thin films.
Pd thin films, hydrogen adsorption, atomic interface structures, sputtering deposition
Publication
