Thermal Energy Storage in Bio-Inspired PCM-Based Systems

Kinga Pielichowska (), Martyna Szatkowska and Krzysztof Pielichowski ()
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Kinga Pielichowska: Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, Department of Glass Technology and Amorphous Coatings, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Martyna Szatkowska: Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, Department of Glass Technology and Amorphous Coatings, AGH University of Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
Krzysztof Pielichowski: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Department of Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Cracow University of Technology, ul. Warszawska 24, 31-155 Kraków, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-28

Abstract: Continuous growth in energy demand is observed throughout the world, with simultaneous rapid consumption of fossil fuels. New effective technologies and systems are needed that allow for a significant increase in the use of renewable energy sources, such as the sun, wind, biomass, and sea tides. Currently, one of the main research challenges refers to thermal energy management, taking into account the discontinuity and intermittency of both energy supply and demand. Phase change materials (PCMs) are a useful solution in the design and manufacturing of multifunctional materials for energy storage technologies such as solar cells and photovoltaic systems. In order to design efficient PCM-based systems for energy applications, ideas and behaviors from nature should be taken account as it has created over millions of years a plethora of unique structures and morphologies in complex hierarchical materials. Inspirations for nature have been applied to improve and adjust the properties of materials for energy conversion and storage as well as in the design of advanced energy systems. Therefore, this review presents recent developments in biomimetic and bio-inspired multifunctional phase change materials for the energy storage and conversion of different types of renewable energy to thermal or electrical energy. Future outlooks are also provided to initiate integrated interdisciplinary bio-inspired efforts in the field of modern sustainable PCM technologies.

Keywords: phase change materials; bio-inspiration; thermal energy storage; bio-based phase change materials (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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