12/02/2022
By Sukesh Aghara

The Francis College of Engineering, Department of Plastic Engineering, invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation proposal defense by Jay Thakkar on “Optimizing design of salt hydrate phase change materials (PCM) for building efficiency applications.”

Candidate Name: Jay Thakkar
Degree: Doctoral
Defense Date: Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022
Time: noon to 2 p.m.
Location: Ball Hall 206

Those interested in attending should contact Jay Thakkar and committee advisors M. Sobkowicz-Klibne and J. Kosny at least 24 hours prior to the defense to request access to the virtual meeting link.

Committee:
Advisor: Margaret J. Sobkowicz-Kline, Professor, Plastics Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Co-advisor: Jan Kosny, Research Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Committee Members

  • Amir Ameli, Assistant Professor, Plastics Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Juan Pablo Trelles, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract:
Thermal energy storage (TES) systems are of interest for energy efficiency applications because of increasing energy demands, which escalate use of fossil fuels nd put pressure on electrical systems. Depletion of fossil resources and the climate crisis increase the urgency of work towards sustainable energy sources. Phase change materials can be a critical part of a TES system because they absorb and release energy during heating and cooling. This research concerns the salt hydrate class of PCM suitable for building efficiency applications. The overall goal of this work is to achieve stable PCM formulations that can be used for commercial applications. Salt hydrate PCM formulations with different phase transition temperatures were investigated. PCM preparation methods that result in the desired hydrates were explored. Nucleating agent and stabilizers/thickening agent were utilized to suppress supercooling and phase separation, and thermal analyses were done to determine the impact of increasing/decreasing these modifiers. The performance efficiency of the PCM was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), temperature-history method and dynamic heat flow meter method. In addition, different grades of chemicals and water were used to study the effect on congruency in melting and crystallization process.

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend the online defense via remote access.