Phase change material integrated with metallic fins and foams for enhanced passive thermal control

• Grant number: 25/12767-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Thermal Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Edemar Morsch Filho
• Grantee: Gabriel Diogo da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental São João da Boa Vista. São João da Boa Vista , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This Scientific Initiation proposal is aligned with the Regular Research Project (2024/00620-3) of the advisor, aimed at the numerical and experimental evaluation of phase change material immersed in a metallic foam gradient. Phase change materials (PCM) are widely used for passive thermal control of processes, occurring through their latent heat of fusion. However, their low thermal conductivity is a parameter that limits a wider application of this technology. One possibility that significantly improves the performance of PCM is its integration with other thermally more conductive materials, such as metallic fins and foams, resulting in an increase in the effective thermal conductivity of the assembly and, consequently, greater homogeneity in the temperature field. This research project proposes the experimental investigation of the thermal performance of a bio-phase change material integrated with metallic fins and foams, in order to explore the impact of these devices on heat transfer, natural convection, and stored energy.