Development of Enhanced Performance Energy Storage Materials Using Tailorable Percolation Networks of Nanofibers

许多可持续或替代能源系统，如大型太阳能发电厂，在某些时间（太阳照耀时）提供多余的能量，但在其他时间（如晚上）则少得多。如果电厂能被设计成储存多余的能源，以备供应减少时使用，电厂将更经济、更有效地运行。如果植物能够通过利用储存的能量来满足这种需求，从而对能量需求的快速变化做出反应，这将更加有益。本研究项目侧重于相变材料在大规模储能中的应用。相变材料在熔化时将能量储存在材料内部。当材料融化时，当材料从固体转变为液体时，需要能量来释放键。这种能量从周围环境中被吸收并储存起来。当材料后来凝固时，这些储存的能量就会从材料中释放出来，并可以使用。相变材料储能的唯一缺点是，大多数现有的相变材料具有阻止快速能量传递响应的特性。因此，本项目的重点是通过改善材料的特性来设计和制造改进的相变储能材料，以实现能量的快速存储，并在需要时再次快速释放。这将通过在材料中嵌入石墨纳米纤维，然后控制纳米纤维的运动来实现，从而为能量穿透材料提供连续的路径。第一层纳米粒子将被锚定在表面，剩余的纳米纤维将形成一个连接到这些初始锚点的能量路径矩阵。然后，研究人员将扩展这一发展，通过创建具有电场和磁场控制的可控纳米纤维网络，使材料能够适应特定的应用。控制和操纵纳米纤维的运动来调整其热性能的能力在该领域具有真正变革的潜力。固液相变储能是一项具有广泛应用前景的技术。这些应用包括广泛的可持续技术，不仅包括太阳能系统，还包括高效供暖和空调系统、家庭热水和先进的建筑材料。相变材料也可以用来吸收热量，并为便携式电子设备和通信系统提供热控制。这项研究解决了相变材料技术的一个关键弱点，这个项目的成功执行将使可持续技术的更大实施成为可能。在这个项目中进行的研究将为几名研究生提供教育机会，研究人员将使用太阳能系统设计来加强现有的工程推广项目，该项目用于向中学女生，特别是那些来自代表性不足的少数民族的女生介绍工程。这个外展项目是通过与东宾夕法尼亚女童子军的合作来执行的。

CBET-1235769PI: FleischerMany sustainable or alternative energy systems such as large scale solar energy plants provide a surplus of energy at certain times (when the sun is shining) but much less at other times (such as at night). If the plants can be designed to store the surplus energy for use during times of decreased supply, the plant will operate more economically and efficiently. This will be even more beneficial if the plants can respond to rapid changes in energy requirements by using stored energy to meet this demand. This research project focuses on the use of phase change materials for large scale energy storage. Phase change materials store energy inside the material itself as it melts. As the material melts, energy is needed to release the bonds as the material transitions from solid to liquid. This energy is absorbed from the surroundings and is stored. When the material later solidifies, this stored energy is released from the material and can be used. The only down side to phase change material energy storage is that most existing phase change materials have characteristics that prevent a quick energy transfer response. Thus this project is focused on designing and creating improved phase change energy storage materials by improving the characteristics of the material to allow rapid storage of energy, and rapid release again upon demand. This will be done by embedding graphite nanofibers in the material and then controlling the motion of the nanofibers to provide a continuous path for the energy to penetrate into the material. The first layer of nanoparticles will be anchored at the surface and the remaining nanofibers will create a matrix of energy paths connected to these initial anchor points. The researchers will then extend this development such that the materials can be tailored for specific applications by creating controlled nanofibers networks with electrical and magnetic field control. The ability to control and manipulate nanofiber motion to tailor thermal properties has the potential to be truly transformational in the field. Energy storage though solid-liquid phase change is a wide-reaching technology that can be utilized in many applications. These applications include a wide range of sustainable technologies not just including solar energy systems, but also high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, domestic hot water, and advanced building materials. Phase change materials can also be used to absorb heat and provide thermal control for portable electronics and communication systems. This study addresses a key weakness in phase change material technologies, and the successful execution of this project will enable greater implementation of sustainable technologies. The research undertaken in this project will provide educational opportunities for several graduate students and the researchers will use the solar energy system designs to enhance an existing engineering outreach project used to introduce middle school girls, particularly those from underrepresented minorities to engineering. This outreach project is executed through a partnership with Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania.