The Technology

Our primary product will be a double-layered engine oil pan with an outer layer filled with heat storage materials which release heat when optically triggered. The heat storage materials are novel composites of phase-change materials and photo-switching molecules that transfer heat from/to engine oil and control its temperature. We plan to replace the energy-inefficient block heaters with novel materials that store and release heat in response to changing environment. Our composites of phase-change materials (PCMs) and light-responsive molecules absorb the waste heat generated from a running engine, store the heat overnight, and release the heat instantly to warm up the engine once triggered by blue LED light.  The outer compartment of prototype will be made of stainless steel while the interface layer between oil and PCM and the heat transfer fins will be made of aluminum to maximize heat transfer between the oil and the heat storage composite. Blue LEDs will be installed on the outer shell to assist on-demand instant heat release. 

 

Thus far, we have confirmed the full-cycle operation of our composites for heat storage and the triggered release. We plan to develop an optimized and custom-designed oil heater, which provides an instant source of heat (~300 J/g) at almost zero cost. 

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Relevant Publications

1) G. G. D. Han, J. H. Deru, E. N. Cho, and J. C. Grossman. “Optically Regulated Thermal Energy Storage in Diverse Organic Phase-Change Materials.” Chem. Commun. 2018, 54, 10722–10725.

2) G. D. Han, H. Li, and J. C. Grossman. “Optically-Controlled Long-Term Storage and Release of Thermal Energy in Phase-Change Materials.” Nat. Commun. 2017, 8, 1446.

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