Phase change materials are used for hot and cold storage. These materials can absorb heat within a certain temperature range without undergoing a significant change in temperature. Instead, the absorption or release of the heat is accompanied by a change in the aggregate state of the material.

Some materials are able to store huge amounts of heat while melting. This energy is released again during the crystallisation process. The temperature of the material stays almost constant during the melting and crystallisation processes. Therefore this kind of heat storage is called latent heat storage. By using materials with high melting enthalpies it is possible to store huge amounts of heat in comparable small temperature ranges.

Our researches at the Fraunhofer ISE focus on PCM based on different paraffins with melting temperatures between approximately 0 °C and 100 °C.

We have many possibilities to examine and analyse Phase Change Materials at the Fraunhofer ISE. Listed below are parts of our labs and testing facilities with the respective equipment.

Besides our lab for analysing the materials we have a big PCM testing chamber in which we examine the thermal effects of PCM in building materials.

Due to our many years of experience, we possess the necessary expertise and equipment to carry out building monitoring projects. With portable or permanently installed data acquisition devices, the measurement signals of the sensors are recorded. These data can be accessed or presented according to the customer’s requirements, for example, through the internet.

Furthermore we can offer simulations for the planning process.