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Elsevier

Next Generation Phase Change Materials for Energy Storage

Fundamentals, Engineering, and Applications

  • 1st Edition - October 1, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Editors: B. Kalidasan, Reji Kumar Rajamony, Adarsh Kumar Pandey
  • Language: English

Provides an in-depth exploration of cutting-edge PCM materials, including salt hydrates, ionic liquids, porous-based composites, nano-engineered PCMs and metal-organic frameworks,… Read more

Description

Provides an in-depth exploration of cutting-edge PCM materials, including salt hydrates, ionic liquids, porous-based composites, nano-engineered PCMs and metal-organic frameworks, highlighting their synthesis, thermophysical properties and how innovative modifications improve thermal conductivity, stability and energy storage efficiency. Readers will gain insights into next-generation PCMs including photo-switchable, magnetically multifunctional, and thermo-responsive smart PCMs and how these advanced materials enable adaptive and on-demand thermal management, making them highly relevant for applications in energy storage, electronics, textiles, and biomedical fields.

The book emphasizes eco-friendly and bioinspired PCM technologies, including nature-derived materials such as biopolymers and biochar composites. Provides solutions for key challenges in sustainable energy storage, exploring how nature-inspired microcapsules and hierarchical structures improve PCM stability, heat transfer and environmental sustainability. Describes the practical implementation of PCMs, detailing their use in renewable energy systems, flexible electronics, 3D-printed PCM structures and wearable thermal management solutions, including fabrication techniques, scalability and real-world applications, providing valuable insights for researchers, engineer, and industry professionals.

Key features

  • Addresses the critical challenge of enhancing thermal energy storage (TES) efficiency through advanced phase change materials (PCMs)
  • Provides an in-depth exploration of next-generation PCMs, including salt hydrate and ionic PCMs, nano-engineered composites, bioinspired materials and smart thermo-responsive PCMs
  • Presents cutting-edge strategies such as nanoconfinement, polymeric modification, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and 3D printing to enhance PCM performance. Additionally, it covers emerging technologies like photo-switchable and magnetically responsive PCMs, which enable dynamic and controlled heat storage
  • By bridging fundamental principles with advanced material engineering techniques, this book equips researchers, engineers, and industry professionals with the knowledge to develop high-performance, application-specific PCMs. It serves as a comprehensive guide to overcoming existing limitations and accelerating the adoption of innovative PCMs for sustainable energy solutions

Readership

Industry professionals including project managers and consultants overseeing renewable energy projects, research and development engineers and scientists, sustainability managers and environmental engineers; academics and researchers seeking a teaching resource for advanced courses, postgraduate students looking for in-depth knowledge and technical expertise in thermal storage technologies; policy makers and regulatory bodies who need information on the latest technologies and their potential impact on policy frameworks

Table of contents

1. Thermal energy storage via phase change materials (PCMs)

2. Salt hydrate and ionic PCMs

3. Porous structured PCMs

4. Silica material enhanced PCMs

5. Nano-engineered PCMs

6. Metal-organic framework-based PCMs

7. Photo-switchable PCMs

8. Magnetically multifunctional PCMs

9. Bioinspired PCMs

10. 3D-Printed PCMs

11. Flexible PCMs

12. Thermo-responsive and thermo-regulated smart PCMs

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: October 1, 2026
  • Language: English

About the editors

BK

B. Kalidasan

B. Kalidasan is a Lecturer at the Sunway Centre for Electrochemical Energy and Sustainable Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Energy Engineering from VIT University, Vellore, India. His doctoral research at Sunway University focused on nano‑enhanced phase change materials for low‑temperature thermal energy storage.

Following his PhD, he completed post‑doctoral research at the Research Centre for Nanomaterials and Energy Technology, Sunway University. His research expertise spans thermal energy storage, nanomaterials, solar thermal systems, renewable energy, and net‑zero carbon neutrality. He has published research and review articles in several high‑impact international journals, including Progress in Materials Science, Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, InfoMat, International Materials Reviews, Chemical Engineering Journal, and SmartMat, among others. He is also an inventor on multiple Indian and Malaysian patents based on his research contributions. His academic and research excellence has been recognized through several honors and awards, including the Rising Star Award at Sunway University, Best Paper and Best Presentation Awards at international conferences, the Best Innovation Award in the Make It Challenge, and the Best Outgoing Student Award.

Affiliations and expertise
Lecturer, Research Centre for Nano-Materials and Energy Technology (RCNMET), School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, No. 5, Jalan Universiti, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

RR

Reji Kumar Rajamony

Dr. Reji Kumar Rajamony, holds a PhD. in Advanced Materials from the Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA), Malaysia. He received his master’s degree in Thermal Engineering (2011) and bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (2009) from Anna University, India. Reji Kumar is currently working as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Sustainable Energy, Universiti Tenaga Nasional (National Energy University), Malaysia. His research mainly focuses on thermal energy storage, phase change materials, nano-enhanced phase change materials, photovoltaic thermal systems, desalination systems, thermoelectric generator, battery thermal management
Affiliations and expertise
Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia

AP

Adarsh Kumar Pandey

Adarsh Kumar Pandey is a Professor at the United Arab Emirates University, Dubai, UAE. His research focuses on advanced energy materials, nanomaterials, nano‑enhanced phase change materials, and their applications in renewable and sustainable energy technologies. He has been recognized among the top 2% of scientists worldwide by Stanford University and Elsevier BV.

He earned his PhD in Energy from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, India. Prof. Pandey is a recipient of Sunway University’s Excellence in Research Award (2022) and Excellence in Enterprise and Innovation Award (2023). He has also received several prestigious national and international fellowships, including the National Renewable Energy Fellowship from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, and a Post‑Doctoral Fellowship from the University of Malaya.

Prof. Pandey serves as an Associate Editor and Editorial Board Member for several ISI- and Scopus-indexed journals. He has authored numerous research and review articles in reputed international journals, holds multiple patents, and has contributed to several book chapters. He has also successfully secured and managed major research grants as Principal Investigator and Co‑Investigator.

Affiliations and expertise
Professor at the United Arab Emirates University, UAE