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

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段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)，这样它们就可以用于服装和热物体周围。相变材料是一类利用相变(例如熔化)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/油化学的了解。该提案是关于确定这些化学品的最低成本生产路线，以满足性能目标。这也将促进对非理想混合行为的理解。在可能的情况下，将寻求专利保护。此外，研究结果将在同行评议的期刊上发表，并在国家会议上公布。在商业上，该应用是生产具有阻燃性能的新型相变材料。今天，阿富汗和伊拉克都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产品的利用率产生更广泛的影响。由于火灾风险降低，以前未进行的申请将开放使用这些材料。相变材料在建筑中使用时，可以常年降低能源成本。对相关脂肪和油化学的更好理解可能会在脂肪和油行业找到其他应用。在该项目期间，将聘用研究生，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.