Effectively storing and recovering excess energy generated through fossil fuel and alternative sources of energy is a challenge facing those examining how to be more energy efficient. Thermal storage systems could provide one means of storing energy in phase change materials. Developing effective thermal storage systems requires being able to tune the melting point of a material to the relevant temperature range, though. The effect of confinement to raise or lower the melting point of different substances has been observed both experimentally and theoretically, although few of the theoretical experiments haved focused on metals. Here, we examine confinement effects on the properties of several metals, looking in particular at the effect of pore architecture, fluid-wall interaction strength, and loading on melting point elevation or depression.

Structure and phase change properties of confined metals

254th National Meeting (2017)

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