Joule-Tesla Bridge

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Energy consumption in the form of electricity and gas for heating and cooling is one of the biggest contributors to the generation of Green House Gases. The application of solar thermal energy is one of the most prospective ways to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels for these purposes.The focus of this proposal is on Latent Heat Thermal Storage (LHTES), which is currently a key international priority and is connected with a phase transformation of the storage materials (Phase Change Materials - PCMs), typically changing from solid phase to liquid and vice versa. LHTES systems significantly improve the efficiency and viability of solar thermal energy utilisation. The main disadvantage of all LHTES is the low thermal conductivity of PCMs. The project aim is to develop, through theoretical and experimental research, novel LHTES systems for heat and cold accumulation, which use an innovative active control method to improve the thermal conductivity of PCM. The method will be developed for the production of ferromagnetic longitudinal nanorods with required magnetic properties, and then nanorod/organic molecules colloid will be formed to tune the average density of the colloid system with the PCM's density so as to homogeneously suspend nanorods in the PCM and avoid the PCM/nanorods separation. The ferromagnetic nanorod colloid system will be added to the PCM, and the LHTES will be equipped with an array of solenoids. These solenoids form the resulting magnetic field to align in space and time the ferromagnetic nanorods in the PCM with the highest temperature gradient in the PCM. The alignment of the nanorods will sharply increase the thermal conductivity in the PCM in the required direction. The active electromagnetic control of thermal conductivity in the LHTES is governed by a smart control unit. The electricity for the electromagnetic governing will be provided locally using a PV system with storage made of second-life Electrical Vehicle batteries.