Phase Change Materials (PCM) store and release thermal energy through solid-liquid transitions at near-constant temperature, exploiting 潜热 capacities orders of magnitude greater than sensible heat storage. Research spans material classes — paraffins, salt hydrates, fatty acids, 共晶 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.
Package structure and method for manufacturing the same
Patent published on the 2026-07-02 in US under Ref US20260191012 by TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD [TW] (Huang Kuo-ching [tw], Chang Kuo-pin [tw], Li Hung-ju [tw], Ting Yu-wei [tw])
Abstract: A method for manufacturing a package structure includes the following steps. A semiconductor die is formed, the semiconductor die including a plurality of conductive pads disposed on a first surface of the semiconductor die. An electrical test is performed on the semiconductor die by the conductive pads. A phase change material layer is formed on the first surface of the semiconductor die, and the phase change material layer is electrically connected to the conductive pads. A packaging process i[...]
Our summary: The method involves forming a semiconductor die with conductive pads and performing electrical tests. A phase change material layer is created on the die, connected to the pads. The process includes packaging and annealing to alter the material s crystal state.
semiconductor packaging, phase change material, electrical testing, annealing process
Patent
Method and system of alignment of nucleation points to carbonated beverage vessel features
Patent published on the 2026-07-02 in US under Ref US20260182758 by MACALONEY NEIL [US] (Macaloney Neil [us])
Abstract: A system and method of alignment of nucleation points to carbonated beverage vessel features enables bubbles from a carbonated beverage to appear as if they are part of design or artwork on the beverage vessel itself. The system creates nucleation points that align with other features along the outside of a beverage vessel to create moving, or kinetic scenes. In order to accomplish this the system has a laser which creates the etching along the outside of the vessel and the nucleation points alo[...]
Our summary: A system aligns nucleation points on beverage vessels to enhance visual design. It uses lasers to etch features on the vessel s surface and create bubbles that appear as part of the artwork. Fixed mirrors and a translating carriage allow for precise adjustments and rotation of the vessel.
nucleation points, carbonated beverage, laser etching, kinetic design
Patent
Systems and methods for regenerating extractive distillation solvent with enhanced enthalpy
Patent published on the 2026-07-02 in WO under Ref WO2026139213 by SABIC GLOBAL TECH B V [NL] (Kommuri Subbarao [nl], Badros Omar Mohammed [nl], Fazzini Marco [nl])
Abstract: Provided herein are solvent regeneration units, systems, and methods that facilitate enhanced regeneration of solvents utilized in extractive distillation. Examples include a solvent regeneration unit having a vessel that receives a lean solvent stream including 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one (NMP) and impurities and supplies a purified solvent stream to an extractive distillation zone. The solvent regeneration unit includes an agitator operable to mix a solvent fluid within an interior volume of the [...]
Our summary: This document describes systems and methods for regenerating extractive distillation solvents with improved enthalpy. It details a solvent regeneration unit that processes a lean solvent stream containing NMP and impurities. The unit features external heating coils and internal heating elements to enhance heat transfer within the vessel.
solvent regeneration, extractive distillation, heat transfer, 1-methylpyrrolidin-2-one
Patent
Secondary battery and method for manufacturing the same
Patent published on the 2026-07-02 in US under Ref US20260188835 by SAMSUNG SDI CO LTD [KR] (Byun Inseop [kr])
Abstract: The present disclosure is to provide a secondary battery and a method for manufacturing the secondary battery. The secondary battery according to the present disclosure includes an electrode assembly having at least one electrode terminal, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, wherein the electrode terminal is outside of the case, and a film covering the electrode terminal, wherein the case includes a first outermost layer forming an outer surface of the case, a first innermost layer in c[...]
Our summary: The disclosure presents a secondary battery featuring an electrode assembly with an external electrode terminal. It includes a case with multiple layers, where the innermost layer and a film covering the terminal have a melting point of 130 degrees Celsius or lower. A method for manufacturing this secondary battery is also provided.
secondary battery, electrode assembly, manufacturing method, thermal properties
Patent
Stratum corneum retention-enhancing agent, anti-shine agent, and topical composition for skin containing said agents
Patent published on the 2026-07-02 in WO under Ref WO2026141654 by THE NISSHIN OILLIO GROUP LTD [JP] (Hanada Yamazaki Naoko [jp], Saida Toshinori [jp], Oyama Keiichi [jp], Suzuki Uemura Yukiko [jp])
Abstract: The present invention pertains to: a stratum corneum retention-enhancing agent for enhancing the retention of a functional ingredient in the stratum corneum, the stratum corneum retention-enhancing agent being characterized by comprising an esterified product of a polyhydric alcohol that is dipentaerythritol, erythritol, or sorbitan and one or more fatty acids selected from C6-10 saturated fatty acids, and characterized in that the functional ingredient is a substance miscible with the esterifie[...]
Our summary: The invention describes a stratum corneum retention-enhancing agent that improves the retention of functional ingredients. It includes an esterified product of specific polyhydric alcohols and fatty acids. Additionally, an anti-shine agent is provided to reduce shine from oily ingredients, also using similar esterified products.
stratum corneum, retention-enhancing agent, anti-shine agent, topical composition
Patent
Apparatus and method for manufacturing biological sample-based memorial item
Patent published on the 2026-07-02 in WO under Ref WO2026142011 by SWEN CO LTD [KR] (Eun John Higon [kr], Jun Bum Joo [kr])
Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a biological sample-based memorial item, the apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit for acquiring a biological sample from a subject; a preservation unit for performing a preservation treatment on the biological sample on the basis of freeze-drying; a sealing unit for sealing the preserved biological sample in a vial; and an encapsulation unit for encapsulating the vial to produce a biological relic capsule, wherein the subject m[...]
Our summary: The invention describes an apparatus for creating memorial items from biological samples. It includes units for acquiring, preserving, sealing, and encapsulating the samples. The process can be applied to samples from humans or companion animals.
biological sample, memorial item, preservation treatment, encapsulation unit
Patent
dispersion cohesion, surface energy, and charging
Published on 2026-06-24 by Johannes Fiedler and Justas Zalieckas @IOP SCIENCE
Abstract: The formation of molecular clusters in low-temperature plasmas is governed by an intricate interplay of dispersion interactions, electrostatic charging, and surface energetics. While chemical growth pathways have been extensively studied, the role of non-chemical interactions in determining characteristic cluster sizes remains poorly understood. In this work, we develop a unified free-energy framework for molecular clusters embedded in weakly ionised Ar/H plasmas. The approach combines first-pri[...]
Our summary: The study develops a free-energy framework for molecular clusters in low-temperature plasmas. It combines first-principles calculations with a dielectric description of plasma response. Results indicate that plasma conditions control nucleation scales rather than free-energy minimization.
dispersion interactions, electrostatic charging, surface energetics, molecular clusters
Publication
Performance analysis of a coal mine air supply system based on a multienergy complementary energy supply system
Published on 2026-06-03 by @OXFORD
Abstract: AbstractMine ventilation air heating in severely cold regions is commonly supplied by coal-fired boilers, leading to high energy use and environmental impacts. This study proposes a multienergy complementary energy supply system integrating air-source heat pumps (ASHPs), a cascade water-source heat pump, and thermal energy storage to ensure reliable shaft anti-freezing (3°C) and flexible operation under time-of-use electricity pricing. A dynamic TRNSYS model was developed for a coal mine in Wuh[...]
Our summary: This study presents a multienergy complementary energy supply system for mine ventilation heating in cold regions. A dynamic TRNSYS model was validated, showing a 7.57% error margin. The proposed system enhances performance in extreme cold, reducing costs and emissions significantly.
multienergy system, air-source heat pumps, thermal energy storage, coal mine ventilation
Publication
