SBIR Phase I: Fire-Retardant Phase Change Materials from Fats and Oils

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段的研究项目将使用脂肪和油来制造具有阻燃性能的相变材料（PCM），因此它们可以用于衣服和热物体周围。相变材料是一类利用相变（如熔融）在相对恒定的温度下吸收或释放相对大量的潜热的材料。该项目将促进对磷酸盐化学和脂肪/油化学的理解。该提案旨在确定符合性能目标的这些化学品的最低成本生产路线。这也将促进对非理想混合物行为的理解。在可能的情况下，将寻求专利保护。此外，研究结果将发表在同行评议的期刊上，并在国家会议上提出。商业上的应用是生产具有阻燃性能的新型相变材料。如今，在阿富汗和伊拉克，人们正在使用含有相变材料的服装。相变材料有广泛的应用，包括服装、建筑材料和食品容器。低成本阻燃相变材料的引入将通过提高消费品的利用率而产生更广泛的影响。由于降低了火灾风险，以前没有追求的应用将开放使用这些材料。当在建筑物中使用时，相变材料可以全年降低能源成本。对相关脂肪和石油化学的进一步了解可能会在脂肪和石油工业中找到其他应用。本项目将招收研究生，包括少数民族参与，以加强科学培训和发展。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I research project will use fats and oils to make phase-change materials (PCM) with fire-retardant properties, so they can be used in clothing and around hot objects. Phase change materials are a class of materials that use phase changes (e.g., melting) to absorb or release relatively large amounts of latent heat at relatively constant temperature. This project will advance the state of understanding of both phosphate chemistries and fat/oil chemistries. The proposal is on identifying the lowest cost production routes to these chemicals that meet performance goals. It will also advance the understanding of non-ideal mixture behavior. When possible, patent protection will be pursued. In addition, results will be published in peer-refereed journals and presented at national meetings. Commercially, the application is to produce novel phase change materials with fire retardant properties. Clothing that incorporates phase change materials are being used today in Afghanistan and Iraq. Phase change materials find a range of applications, including clothing, construction materials, and food containers. The introduction of lower-cost fire-retardant phase change materials will have broader impact through improved utilization in consumer products. Applications not previously pursued will be open to use of these materials because of reduced risk of fire. When used in buildings, the phase change materials can reduce energy costs year-round. An improved understanding of the associated fat and oil chemistry will likely find other applications in the fat and oil industries. Graduate students will be employed during this project, including minority participation, to enhance scientific training and development.