Research Plan & Strategy

We plan to optimize the composition of phase-change materials (PCM) and molecular switch hybrid to ensure the proper operation of heat storage and release cycles at low temperatures. Key parameters such as temperature ranges in which our material can store and release heat, heat storage capacities, efficiencies of heat release, and conditions for activating the heat release will be determined. Other important parameters such as lifetime of heating materials and their environmental impact will be investigated.
Once the materials are optimized, we will develop a prototype that contains the heat storage composites to efficiently transfer heat from/to an oil pan in an engine. The heat storage time, the efficiency of heat release, and the material stability over several hundred cycles will be demonstrated. The commercial parameters including total electricity saved, extended usage of engine oil from decreased overheating, and the decreased damage made to engine parts by warm start will be determined.