Aromatic Azo Phase-Change Compounds That Avoid Liquid Leakage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid-liquid phase transition photoswitches for thermal energy storage face challenges such as potential leakage and combustion risks due to organic liquid, and UV-induced liquefaction is limited at room temperature, restricting the temperature range for energy storage.

Innovation Solution

Development of solid-solid phase transition materials using 3D molecular separators like adamantane to reduce intermolecular interactions, allowing isomerization at room temperature, exemplified by compounds of Formula (I) that undergo E-to-Z conversion under solar light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If solid-liquid phase transition photoswitches are used for thermal energy storage, then energy storage capability is improved, but leakage and combustion risks occur due to organic liquid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage capabilityVSAvoidleakage and combustion risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs phase transition of the phase change material (from solid to liquid and back) to store and release thermal energy. The photoswitch triggers the phase transition at specific temperatures, enabling controllable energy storage and release while maintaining the material in a contained solid state during storage, thus preventing leakage and combustion risks associated with persistent liquid organic materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Use of energy by moving object

If UV-induced liquefaction is used for energy storage, then energy storage is achieved, but the temperature range for energy storage is restricted at room temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storageVSAvoidtemperature range for energy storage

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes photoswitches with tunable transition temperatures to enable energy storage across different temperature ranges. By selecting photoswitches with appropriate UV absorption characteristics and phase transition temperatures, the system can operate effectively at room temperature and across extended temperature ranges, overcoming the limitation of restricted temperature operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If solid-solid phase transition materials with 3D molecular separators are used, then intermolecular interactions are reduced and isomerization at room temperature is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisomerization at room temperatureVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces 3D molecular separators as intermediary structures between photoswitch molecules. These separators spatially isolate the photoswitches, reducing intermolecular interactions and preventing aggregation that would otherwise inhibit isomerization at room temperature. The modular nature of these separators allows systematic design without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The compounds achieve efficient energy storage and release through solid-solid phase transition, avoiding liquid leakage and maintaining a solid state, with high energy density and stability over multiple cycles.

Implementation Method 1

Photo-induced molecular transformations, in particular reversible photo-mechanical isomerizations, have attracted significant attention as a potential method for harnessing solar energy. MOST molecules present an opportunity to store photon energy in constrained chemical bonds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoto-induced isomerization: Photochromism

Implementation Method 2

solid-solid phase transition materials using 3D molecular separators like adamantane to reduce intermolecular interactions, allowing isomerization at room temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolid-solid phase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

upon triggering release the energy in the form of heat. inducing the Z-isomer of the compound of Formula (I) to isomerize back to E-isomer state, to release energy stored during the activating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal isomerization:

Data Source

PatentUS12516018B2Solid-solid phase change aromatic azo compounds, method of manufacture, and use for thermal energy storage and release

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 BRANDEIS UNIV

AI summary

A compound of Formula (I) for energy storage,wherein each of R5 and R6 is independently C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, halogen, trihalomethyl, or cyano; G is a C2-36 hydrocarbon, preferably a cyclic hydrocarbon; Q is —C(O)O—, —C(S)O—, —C(O)NH—, —C(O)S—, —C(S)NH—, —NHC(O)NH—, —NHC(S)NH—, or —C(O)NHC(O)—; X is a bond or a C1-30 straight- or branched-chain, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon;are each independently aryl or heteroaryl 5- or 6-membered rings; each of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is in an ortho position to the azo group, and is independently halogen, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 alkylthio, halomethyl, dihalomethyl, trihalomethyl, or di(C1-6 alkyl)amino; r is 0 to 6; and p is 1 to 10, or 2 to 8, or 2 to 6, or 4 to 6, provided that r+p does not exceed the valence of G.