BN-Coated PCM Micro Particles for Thermal Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Phase Change Materials (PCMs) used in thermal control systems have low thermal conductivity, making it difficult to achieve effective thermal exchange and are challenging to treat in a liquid state, especially at temperatures above their melting point, which hampers their performance in maintaining appropriate temperatures within battery systems.
Innovation Solution
A micro particle for thermal control is developed by coating Boron Nitride (BN) particles with high thermal conductivity on a PCM micro bead using an ultrasonic high-temperature vibration scheme, enhancing thermal conduction and allowing easy phase change and treatment of the PCM in a liquid state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If Phase Change Material (PCM) is used for thermal control, then thermal energy storage capability is improved, but thermal conductivity becomes too low to achieve effective thermal exchange
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite micro particle structure where high-thermal-conductivity BN platelets are embedded within the PCM matrix. This composite structure allows the PCM to maintain its phase change energy storage capability while the BN platelets provide thermal conduction pathways, resolving the contradiction between thermal energy storage and thermal exchange efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces BN platelets with high thermal conductivity specifically at locations where thermal conduction is needed within the PCM structure. These localized high-conductivity regions are distributed throughout the micro particle, creating pathways for heat transfer without compromising the overall phase change functionality of the PCM.
2Ease of operation
If PCM is heated to liquid state for treatment, then processability is improved, but thermal conductivity remains insufficient for effective heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The BN-embedded PCM composite maintains effective thermal conduction even in the liquid state during processing. The BN platelets provide continuous thermal pathways that remain functional whether the PCM is solid or liquid, enabling effective heat transfer during melting and processing operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional PCM is used without coating, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but thermal conductivity is insufficient for practical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The BN platelets are embedded within the PCM during the melting and casting process, before the micro particles are formed and cooled. This preliminary incorporation of thermal conduction materials during the phase change process integrates the thermal management function into the base material itself, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving enhanced thermal conductivity.
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 coated micro particle significantly improves heat transfer to the PCM, enabling effective thermal management and maintaining appropriate temperatures within battery systems by increasing thermal conductivity and facilitating easy phase change.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic high-temperature vibrator for sonicating and misting the melted PCM
Implementation Method 2
a glass tube in which a carrier gas for carrying a misted PCM micro particle is injected
Implementation Method 3
a collection container within a collection chamber configured to collect a micro particle solidified while being carried through the glass tube
Implementation Method 4
a Boron Nitride (BN) particle having a plate shape and high thermal conductivity (e.g., 3 W/mK: in the perpendicular direction, 60 W/mK: in the basal plane) is coated on a PCM having a shape of a micro bead, to increase the thermal conduction to the inside PCM
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a micro particle for a thermal control material capable of being applied as a highly thermal conductive material for thermal control, and an apparatus and a method of producing the micro particle for the thermal control material by using an ultrasonic high-temperature vibration scheme. More specifically, a Boron Nitride (BN) particle having a plate shape and an excellent thermal conductivity is coated on a PCM having a shape of a micro bead, to increase the thermal conduction to the inside PCM, so that a phase change is easily generated, and which allows an easy treatment of the PCM in a liquid state at a temperature equal to or higher than a melting point of the PCM.