Date added: 2025-02-04
We are looking for innovative solutions for thermal energy storage
Such research is being conducted under the OPUS program by Łukasz Piszczyk, PhD, DSc, Eng., professor at the Gdańsk Tech Faculty of Chemistry. For the project entitled "Research on the possibilities of implementing and processing phase change materials (PCM) in polyurethane materials", Prof. Piszczyk's team received funding in the amount of PLN 1,541,452.
- Thermal energy storage is an important aspect in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency. In the face of climate change and the growing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thermal energy obtained from renewable sources, such as the sun or geothermal energy, is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative – says Łukasz Piszczyk, PhD, DSc, Eng., professor at Gdańsk Tech, from the Department of Polymer Technology at the Faculty of Chemistry.
One of the main challenges related to the utilization of this form of energy is its intermittency – the moment of transformation of, for example, mechanical energy into thermal energy often does not align with the moment of its demand. In response to this challenge, storing latent heat is becoming an increasingly interesting solution.
– Latent heat is a measure of energy needed to change the state of matter of a material whose phase change occurs at a specific temperature. This process allows for the storage and release of energy in an efficient and sustainable manner, which allows for the use of thermal energy in a more consistent and predictable way – explains professor Piszczyk.
The main goal of professor Łukasz Piszczyk’s team is to develop new polyurethane materials that will accumulate and release thermal energy as efficiently as possible.
Polyurethane materials have played an important role in everyday life for many years, providing excellent insulating and durability properties or faithfully imitating natural leather. Their segmented structure allows for the possibility of controlling the properties of materials.
–Thanks to the appropriate selection of components and regulation of their ratios, we are able to design the properties of the obtained polymers and influence their processability - says professor Łukasz Piszczyk. – Within the project, we plan to work on selecting a raw material system so that the synthesized polyurethane materials undergo phase transitions.
Melting and crystallization, are phase changes that are associated with thermal effects (absorption or release of energy) and these are considered energy storage mechanisms within materials.
In order to enhance the efficiency of thermal energy absorption by polyurethane materials, scientists will use doping of the aforementioned polymers with phase change materials (PCM). PCMs have the ability to undergo multiple phase transformations, and their introduction to other materials in various forms, such as micro- and nanocapsules, results in new polyurethane composites with thermal energy storage properties.
The results obtained within the project will allow for the acquisition of new knowledge on the possibilities of storing thermal energy, the synthesis of new materials capable of storing thermal energy and their processing. The proposed research will also increase the ecological awareness among society.
About the OPUS competition
OPUS is a competition in which researchers at any stage of their scientific career can apply for funding for projects in the field of basic research. Thanks to the grant, they can build large research teams, implement projects using major international research facilities, and establish collaborations with foreign partners.