Two-Phase Metallic Alloys for Thermal Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy phase change materials (PCMs) used for thermal energy storage have high thermal energy storage densities but low thermal conductivities, requiring large surface areas, which limits their effectiveness in managing heat in compact electronic devices and electric vehicle batteries.
Innovation Solution
The development of two-phase metallic alloys (TPMAs) that combine specific metallic constituents like Bi, In, and Sn to create a thermal energy storage system with a wide two-phase temperature range, enhancing both thermal conductivity and energy storage capacity, allowing for efficient heat management and thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If legacy phase change materials (PCMs) are used for thermal energy storage, then thermal energy storage density is improved, but thermal conductivity deteriorates (remains low)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a two-phase metallic alloy (TPMA) that combines multiple metallic constituents (such as Bi, In, Sn) to form a material with both high thermal energy storage density and high thermal conductivity. The composite structure leverages the complementary properties of different metals to resolve the contradiction between energy storage capacity and heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the phase transition temperature range of the metallic alloy through composition adjustment. The TPMA is designed to operate within a specific two-phase temperature range where it maintains both liquid and solid phases simultaneously, enabling enhanced thermal conductivity while preserving high energy storage density through phase change.
2Quantity of substance
If legacy PCMs with low thermal conductivity are used, then thermal energy storage density is improved, but device surface area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The TPMA composite material achieves higher thermal conductivity through its metallic composition, which allows for more compact thermal management system design. This reduces the surface area requirement compared to legacy PCMs while maintaining the same thermal energy storage density, directly addressing the contradiction between energy density and device footprint.
3Reliability
If TPMA with wide two-phase temperature range is used, then thermal conductivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages manufacturing complexity by optimizing the composition ratios of metallic constituents to achieve the desired wide two-phase temperature range. By carefully selecting and controlling the parameters of alloy composition, the patent balances the need for enhanced thermal conductivity with the practical constraints of manufacturing processes.
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
TPMAs provide significantly higher thermal conductivity and energy storage capacity compared to traditional PCMs, effectively managing heat in compact devices and electric vehicle batteries by spreading heat quickly and storing energy efficiently across a wide temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
the TPMA has a liquidus temperature value and a solidus temperature value and has at least a liquid phase and at least a solid phase when a temperature value of the TPMA is between the liquidus temperature value and the solidus temperature value
Implementation Method 2
thermal energy storage when coupled to a heat source
Implementation Method 3
enhancing both thermal conductivity and energy storage capacity, allowing for efficient heat management
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to systems, apparatuses, processing, and techniques related to patterning one or more sides of a thin film capacitor (TFC) sheet, where the TFC sheet has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side and the second side of the TFC sheet are metal and are separated by a dielectric layer, and the patterned TFC sheet is to provide at least one of a capacitor or a routing feature on a first side of a substrate that has the first side and a second side opposite the first side.