12 - Thermal energy storage and management applications through engineered fibrous material

Abstract

Here, engineered fibrous materials functionalized by phase change materials (PCMs) are introduced for managing and saving thermal energy. In addition, their production methods including melt spinning, direct application of PCMs or PCMs nano/microcapsules into the fabric, film, or fiber as well as electrospinning are described well. Furthermore, this chapter explains different approaches for thermal conductivity improvement of fibrous-based PCMs composites. Thermal characteristics of the fibrous-based PCMs comprising temperatures of phase transformations, thermal energy storage capacity (latent heat enthalpy) for heating and cooling cycle, thermal conductivity property, thermal reliability and stability, and leakage-proof performance are also considered together with possible applications. Overall, this chapter renders a meaningful inside concerning fibrous-based PCM composites for utilization in thermal energy storage and management applications.