Gallium Microcapsule Shells for Fast Latent Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional latent heat storage bodies have low thermal conductivity and inflexible shapes, limiting their effectiveness in managing thermal energy in electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A latent heat storage body microcapsule is developed, comprising a core of gallium or gallium alloy encapsulated in a shell of gallium oxide or gallium hydrate, produced through particle formation, water treatment, and oxidation or pH treatment steps to enhance thermal conductivity and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional latent heat storage bodies are used, then heat storage function is provided, but thermal conductivity is very low (about 0.21 W/m·K) and heat cannot be absorbed quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional organic PCM to gallium-based alloy with inherently high thermal conductivity, fundamentally altering the thermal properties of the heat storage body to enable rapid heat absorption and release
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure with gallium-based core material encapsulated in an aluminum alloy shell, combining the high latent heat of gallium with the high thermal conductivity of aluminum to achieve both efficient heat storage and rapid heat transfer
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional latent heat storage bodies are used, then heat storage function is provided, but shape is fixed and cannot be flexibly changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat storage system into numerous small spherical microcapsules (1-5 mm diameter) that can be freely arranged and combined, allowing the overall heat storage body to be shaped according to available space while maintaining thermal management effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from fixed large-scale heat storage structures to three-dimensionally arrangeable microcapsules, enabling flexible spatial configuration and adaptation to various installation environments within electric vehicles
3Temperature
If gallium is used as core material, then thermal conductivity is improved, but oxidation resistance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an aluminum alloy shell as an intermediary protective layer between the gallium core and the external environment, preventing oxidation of the gallium while allowing efficient thermal transfer, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal conductivity and oxidation resistance
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 microcapsule achieves high thermal conductivity and heat storage density with flexible shape, enabling efficient thermal management in electric vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a core including gallium or gallium alloy
Implementation Method 2
latent heat storage body microcapsule
Implementation Method 3
a shell covering the core and including gallium oxide
Implementation Method 4
a water treatment step of heating the particles in distilled water to form a gallium hydrate on a surface of each of the particles
Implementation Method 5
an oxidation treatment step of oxidizing the gallium hydrate to form a shell including gallium oxide
Data Source
AI summary
A latent heat storage body microcapsule includes a core including gallium or gallium alloy; and a shell covering the core and including gallium oxide. A method for producing the same includes a particle-forming step of forming gallium or an alloy of gallium in a liquid state into particles; a water treatment step of heating the particles in distilled water to form a gallium hydrate on a surface of each of the particles; and an oxidation treatment step of oxidizing the gallium hydrate to form a shell including gallium oxide. The method includes a particle-forming step of forming gallium or an alloy of gallium in a liquid state into particles; a cooling step of cooling the particles to a solid state; and a pH treatment step of immersing the particles in an aqueous solution having a predetermined pH to form a shell including gallium hydrate.