Cement Foam with Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal insulation materials for buildings are inadequate in addressing cyclic temperature changes and heat storage capacity, leading to inefficient energy management and comfort issues due to their reliance on stationary boundary conditions and limited heat storage capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid material comprising a cement-based foam with microencapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) that enhances thermal insulation by directing heat to the microcapsules for storage, achieving improved specific heat capacity and reduced thermal conductivity, allowing for efficient energy storage and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional thermal insulation materials are used, then thermal conductivity is reduced, but heat storage capacity is insufficient for cyclic temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines phase change materials (PCMs) with cement-based foam insulation materials to create a hybrid composite system. The PCM component provides latent heat storage during phase transitions, while the cement foam provides structural support and additional thermal insulation, achieving both high heat storage capacity and effective thermal insulation simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase change materials that undergo phase transitions (e.g., solid-liquid, liquid-gas) at temperatures relevant to building thermal regulation. During phase transitions, the materials absorb or release latent heat, significantly enhancing the heat storage capacity beyond what conventional materials can achieve through sensible heat alone
2Temperature
If phase change materials are embedded in cement matrix, then heat storage capacity increases, but thermal conductivity becomes too high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs microencapsulated phase change materials (MPCM) with controlled size distribution (0.01-2 mm diameter) embedded selectively within the cement foam matrix. The microencapsulation structure concentrates the PCM in discrete locations, allowing heat to be directed to specific storage zones while maintaining overall thermal insulation performance through the foam structure
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid composite structure combines the high heat storage capacity of PCMs with the low thermal conductivity of foam materials. The cement foam matrix acts as a thermal resistor, while the embedded MPCM provides localized heat storage, creating a synergistic effect that balances thermal conductivity and heat storage capacity
3Temperature
If material density is increased to improve heat storage, then specific heat capacity increases, but lightness and insulation performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes foam materials with controlled porosity (open-cell or closed-cell structure) as the base matrix. The porous structure provides lightweight insulation while the void spaces can be filled or distributed with phase change materials to enhance heat storage capacity without significantly increasing overall density
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure combines lightweight foam materials with phase change materials to achieve high heat storage capacity with low density. The foam provides structural lightness and insulation, while the PCM provides concentrated latent heat storage, creating a lightweight high-performance insulation material
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 hybrid material achieves significant energy savings, reduced thickness requirements, improved insulation performance, and environmental sustainability by storing thermal energy effectively, enhancing both winter thermal protection and summer heat management while maintaining lightness and low density.
Implementation Method 1
a phase change material (PCM) stores thermal energy in the form of latent heat
Implementation Method 2
This phase change material (PCM) stores thermal energy in the form of latent heat
Implementation Method 3
The cement material has a higher thermal conductivity than the gas or air. In this way, heat, which mainly spreads along the cement material in the gusset zones between the bubbles, is directed specifically to the microcapsules
Implementation Method 4
materials with low thermal conductivity are ideal for summer heat protection. By slowly heating up the building materials, high temperature peaks in summer can be efficiently absorbed
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A hybrid material (100) for thermal insulation comprises a cement material (110) enclosing a plurality of gas-filled bubbles (120) and a plurality of microcapsules (130) containing a phase-change material, which are embedded in the cement material (110). The cement material (110) comprises a protein material and cement and has a higher thermal conductivity than the gas in order to conduct heat to the microcapsules (130). The phase-change material is designed to act as a heat storage medium when heat is supplied, thereby increasing the specific heat capacity of the hybrid material (100).