Dynamic tuning of optical absorbers for accelerated solar-thermal energy storage

Zhongyong Wang, Zhen Tong, Qinxian Ye, Hang Hu, Xiao Nie, Chen Yan, Wen Shang, Chengyi Song, Jianbo Wu, Jun Wang, Hua Bao (), Peng Tao () and Tao Deng ()
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Zhongyong Wang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Zhen Tong: University of Michigan–Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Qinxian Ye: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Hang Hu: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Xiao Nie: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Chen Yan: University of Michigan–Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Wen Shang: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Chengyi Song: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Jianbo Wu: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Jun Wang: A123 Systems Research Center, A123 Systems, LLC
Hua Bao: University of Michigan–Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Peng Tao: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Tao Deng: Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Currently, solar-thermal energy storage within phase-change materials relies on adding high thermal-conductivity fillers to improve the thermal-diffusion-based charging rate, which often leads to limited enhancement of charging speed and sacrificed energy storage capacity. Here we report the exploration of a magnetically enhanced photon-transport-based charging approach, which enables the dynamic tuning of the distribution of optical absorbers dispersed within phase-change materials, to simultaneously achieve fast charging rates, large phase-change enthalpy, and high solar-thermal energy conversion efficiency. Compared with conventional thermal charging, the optical charging strategy improves the charging rate by more than 270% and triples the amount of overall stored thermal energy. This superior performance results from the distinct step-by-step photon-transport charging mechanism and the increased latent heat storage through magnetic manipulation of the dynamic distribution of optical absorbers.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01618-w

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