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Fiber-Reinforced, Polymer-Composite Building Panels Capable of Energy Storage Through High Enthalpy Solid-State Phase Transition--DPD, Inc., 2000 Turner Street, Lansing, MI 48906-4053; 517-349-5653
Dr. Habibur Chowdhury, Principal Investigator
Ms. Farangis Jamzadeh, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-99ER82780
Amount: $100,000
Heat storage is an important factor in passive use of solar energy. However, the common practice of sensible heat storage in thermal mass is inefficient, and the corresponding temperature variations damage comfort. There are also structural limitations on use of massive building elements. Latent heat storage in phase-change materials would be an alternative technology, but it is limited because of its reliance on the solid-to-liquid phase transition, which requires containment of the liquid phase and the addition of new building elements. This project will identify polymers that provide solid-to-liquid phase transition and process them into fiber- reinforced composite panels. These lightweight panels will act as both sheathing and heat storage elements. Phase I will select polymers with high-enthalpy, solid-state phase transition, develop fiber-reinforced composites with the selected polymers for use in building panels with high heat storage capacity, determine the impact of the new sheathing panels on energy performance and cost, and assess the commercial prospects of the technology.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new lightweight sheathing panels should be compatible with mainstream construction and retrofit practices, and allow for substantial heat storage at constant temperature. They should significantly improve the energy performance of buildings without sacrificing comfort or adding extra elements to the building.