Technology Growth Opportunities in Phase Change Materials: R&D and IP Analysis

Description

Enhanced Thermal Management and Energy Storage Capabilities Drive Advancements

Phase change materials (PCMs) are substances that absorb and release appropriate amounts of energy during phase transitions, including solid to liquid, solid to solid, gas to liquid, and solid to gas; they deliver useful heat or cooling. The energy that the phase transition generates is effective in different commercial applications that require stable temperatures and energy storage. PCMs store and release large amounts of energy by melting and solidifying material at the phase change temperature and are more efficient than sensible heat storage. PCMs are also latent heat storage (LHS) materials that release or absorb energy in the form of heat owing to the material structure's internal rearrangement.

Topics This Study Covers:

PCMs-overview of material types and application trends

Factors driving the adoption and development of new technologies

Technology ecosystem-recent innovations and stakeholders

Technology analysis-comparative assessment of technologies and their readiness level (TRL)

Noteworthy companies in action

Patent analysis of PCM technologies

Growth opportunities in PCM technologies

Frost & Sullivan has identified key areas of technology development for PCMs, categorized into the following domains.

Materials: solid-liquid, solid-solid, gas-liquid, solid-gas, biobased, and nano-enhanced PCMs

End-use applications: automotive; telecommunications; aerospace and defense; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; electronics; building and construction; cold chain and packaging; textile; energy; and healthcare

PCM manufacturers have increased their R&D investment in low-cost PCMs with high energy storage capacity. Stringent environmental policies pertaining to carbon dioxide emissions are driving PCM manufacturers to form strategic partnerships with research universities and energy companies to adopt sustainable and energy-efficient materials. Factors such as the need for low-cost, enhanced latent heat; improved energy storage capacity; and favorable government policies are driving the PCMs technology landscape.

Key Points Discussed:

What are the emerging technologies for PCMs?

What are the R&D efforts in new material technologies for improved energy efficiency and high latent heat of fusion?

What are the new trends, applications, and commercialization stages of PCMs?

What are the growth opportunities for technology developers and end consumers in PCM technologies?

Product Code: DA63

Strategic Imperatives

Why Is It Increasingly Difficult to Grow?The Strategic Imperative 8™: Factors Creating Pressure on Phase Change Materials Growth
The Strategic Imperative 8™
The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Phase Change Materials (PCMs) Industry
Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine™
Research Methodology

Scope and Segmentation

Research Scope and Segmentation
Energy Storage and Stable Temperature Requirements Driving Demand for PCMs
Needs for and Benefits of PCMs
Favorable Government Policies to Achieve Sustainability Goals Drive Demand for PCMs
Material Compatibility, Cost, and Availability Are PCMs' Main Restraints

Growth Opportunity Analysis

Selection Criteria for PCMs
Organic, Inorganic, and Eutectic PCMs Are Widely-used Technologies in Commercial Applications
Bio-based and Nano-enhanced PCMs Receive Significant Attention for Enhanced Energy Efficiency
Benefits and Restraints of Commercialized PCMs

Technology Analysis

Increasing Need for Electronics Thermal Management Driving Demand for Paraffin-based PCMs
Ease of Availability and Environmental Benefits Driving Fatty Acids PCM Adoption
Improved Sustainability and Greater Chemical Stability Driving Ester-based PCMs' Technology Development
Glycols as Promising PCM Technology for Wide Range of Applications Owing to Tunable Melting Temperature
Hydrated Salt PCMs as Promising Applications to Reduce Residential Air Conditioning Peak Demand Peak Demand R
Improved Chemical Properties, Hardness, Machinability, and Corrosion Resistance Driving Demand for Metal Alloy PCM Technology
Improved Leakage Protection Driving Demand for Double Hydroxide-based PCM Composites
Increasing Demand for Cold Chain Logistics Driving Development of Eutectic PCMs
Sugar Alcohol-based PCMs as Promising Applications for Seasonal Energy Storage
Enhanced Biocompatibility and Solubility Driving Development of Modified PEG-based PCMs
PU-based PCMs Providing Ease of Availability and Low-cost Production
Excellent Abrasion and Low Rolling Resistance Supporting PBD PCM Development
PEX PCMs Providing Higher Stability than Liquid-Solid PCMs for Energy Storage Applications
Gas-Liquid PCMs Providing Improved Latent Phase Change Heat
High Latent Heat Transition of Solid-Gas PCMs Driving Interest for Energy Storage Applications
Growing Concern over Fossil Fuel-based Materials Driving Bio-based PCM R&D
Increasing Adoption of Nano-enhanced PCMs for Latent EnergyStorage Applications

Application Outlook

PCMs: Application Outlook
PCM Technological Development to Address Restraints and Unmet Needs
PCM Technological Development to Address Restraints and Unmet Needs (continued)
Solid-Liquid-based PCMs-Comparative Application Potential
Solid-Liquid-based PCMs-Comparative Application Potential (continued)
Solid-Solid-based PCMs-Comparative Application Potential
Emerging PCMs-Comparative Application Potential

Innovation Landscape

Stakeholders Developing PCMs and Technologies
Stakeholders Developing PCMs and Technologies (continued)
Research Institutes Active in PCM R&D
Research Institutes Active in PCM R&D (continued)
Majority of Public Funding for Improving PCMs' Energy Capacity
Additional Funding for the Development of Optimized TESSs

Intellectual Property (IP) Analysis

IP Analysis Indicates Increase in PCM Patent Filing from 2017 to 2021
Electronic Companies Filing the Most IPs for PCM Technologies
Solid-Liquid, Gas-Liquid, and Nano-enhanced PCMs Registered the Most Patent Filings from 2017 to 2021
Top Assignee Breakdown by Materials Usage for PCMs, 2017-2021
Top Assignee Breakdown by Materials Usage for PCMs, 2017-2021 (continued)
Top Assignee Breakdown by Materials Usage for PCMs 2017-2021 (continued)
Top Assignee Breakdown by Materials Usage for PCMs, 2017-2021 (continued)
Top Assignee Breakdown by Materials Usage for PCMs, 2017-2021 (continued)
Top Assignee Breakdown by Materials Usage for PCMs, 2017-2021 (continued)
Top Assignee Breakdown by Materials Usage for PCMs, 2017-2021 (continued)
Top Assignee Breakdown by Materials Usage for PCMs, 2017-2021 (continued)
Top Assignee Breakdown by Materials Usage for PCMs, 2017-2021 (continued)
Top Assignee Breakdown by Materials Usage for PCMs, 2017-2021 (continued)
Patent Share by Top Application of PCMs, 2017-2021

Analyst Perspectives: Adoption Roadmap of Phase Change Materials

PCMs for EVs, Aerospace, and Biomedical Applications Will Grow

Growth Opportunity Universe

Growth Opportunity 1: Development of Gas-Liquid- and Solid-Gas- based PCMs with High Stability, Latent Heat Transition, and Efficiency for Energy Storage
Growth Opportunity 1: Development of Gas-Liquid- and Solid-Gas- based PCMs with High Stability, Latent Heat Transition, and Efficiency for Energy Storage (continued)
Growth Opportunity 2: Temperature/pH Dual-Stimuli-Responsive Phase Change Microcapsules (Dual-SR-MEPCM) for Drug Delivery and Thermotherapy
Growth Opportunity 2: Temperature/pH Dual-SR-MEPCM for Drug Delivery and Thermotherapy (continued)
Growth Opportunity 3: Bio-based PCM with High Intrinsic Thermal Conductivities and Storage Densities for Smart Textile Fabrication
Growth Opportunity 3: Bio-based PCM with High Intrinsic Thermal Conductivities and Storage Densities for Smart Textile Fabrication (continued)
Growth Opportunity 4: Nano-scale PCM to Address Demands such as High Heat Transfer Efficiency and Large Specific Surface Area in Non-volatile Memory and Neuro-inspired Computing
Growth Opportunity 4: Nano-scale PCM to Address Demands such as High Heat Transfer Efficiency and Large Specific Surface Area in Non-volatile Memory and Neuro-inspired Computing (continued)

Appendix

Technology Readiness Levels (TRL): Explanation

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