Gallium Microcapsule Shell Structure for Flexible Thermal Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional latent heat storage bodies have low thermal conductivity and inflexible shape, limiting their effectiveness in thermal management of electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A latent heat storage body microcapsule is developed using a core of gallium or gallium alloy covered with 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
1Reliability
If conventional PCMs are used, then heat storage function is provided, but thermal conductivity is very low (about 0.21 W/m·K)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses gallium as the core PCM material and coats it with a shell made of gallium oxide or gallium hydroxide, creating a composite microcapsule structure. This composite design maintains the high latent heat storage capability of gallium while the oxide/hydroxide shell provides enhanced thermal conductivity pathways, resolving the contradiction between heat storage function and thermal conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the PCM system by selecting gallium (melting point 29.9°C) as the core material and controlling the shell thickness and composition. This parameter optimization enables both adequate heat storage capacity and improved thermal conductivity compared to conventional organic PCMs.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional latent heat storage bodies are used, then heat storage capacity is provided, but shape is inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the latent heat storage material into microcapsule units with diameters of 10-100 μm. These small, discrete microcapsules can be freely distributed and arranged in available spaces within electric vehicles, providing both adequate total heat storage capacity and flexible shape adaptation to various installation environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin shell structure (composed of gallium oxide or gallium hydroxide) surrounding each microcapsule allows the individual units to be flexible and adaptable in shape. When aggregated, these microcapsules can fill irregular spaces effectively, providing system-level shape flexibility while maintaining individual heat storage capacity.
3Temperature
If gallium is used as core material, then thermal conductivity is improved, but oxidation resistance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shell made of gallium oxide or gallium hydroxide as an intermediary layer between the gallium core and the external environment. This shell acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct oxidation of the gallium core while allowing thermal energy to pass through, thus simultaneously improving oxidation resistance while maintaining thermal conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful oxidation tendency of gallium into a beneficial protective shell. By controlled oxidation of the gallium surface during manufacturing, a stable gallium oxide or gallium hydroxide shell is formed that protects the inner gallium core from further oxidation, while this same shell contributes to thermal management functionality.
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 particle-forming step of forming gallium or an alloy of gallium in a liquid state into particles
Implementation Method 2
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 3
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.