Phase Change Materials: Technology Status and Potential Defence Applications (Review Papers)

Ravindra Kumar; Manoj Kumar Misra; Rohitash Kumar; Deepak Gupta; P. K. Khatri; B. B. Tak; S. R. Meena

doi:10.14429/dsj.61.363

Ravindra Kumar Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur
Manoj Kumar Misra Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur
Rohitash Kumar Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur
Deepak Gupta Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur
P. K. Khatri Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur
B. B. Tak Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur
S. R. Meena Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.363

Keywords: Phase change materials, PCM, microencapsulation, energy storage

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCM) are being utilised world over for energy storage and temperature smoothening applications. Defence Laboratory Jodhpur (DLJ) has initiated a R&D programme to apply PCM in solving many heat related problems being faced by Indian forces during desert operations specially failure of mission-critical components. Under the programme, special organic PCM (Patent application no. 2258/DEL/2007 and low melting metal alloys have been developed well tuned to desert diurnal cycle. The PCM panels, when applied as an internal lining in buildings, structures and vehicles can moderate the extreme temperature within human tolerable range (below 40 °C) without the use of any external power for cooling. The panels can also act as power saver in air conditioned buildings. A cool vest has also been developed with chargeable PCM packs to provide comfortable microenvironment to a soldier on field duty (below 30 °C) for 2-3 hrs. To improve reliability of mission critical electronic instruments during desert operation, technology of absorptive PCM heat sinks is under development at DLJ. The special heat sink will absorb heat generated by component for critical mission (up to 1 hr) independent of environment temperature and thus ensure smooth functioning of critical components even in extreme hot conditions. In present paper status of PCM technology world over has been reviewed along with the brief account of research on PCM at DLJ.

Defence Science Journal, 2011, 61(6), pp.576-582, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.363

Author Biographies

Ravindra Kumar, Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur

Mr Ravindra Kumar obtained his BE(Metallurgy) in 1983 from University of Roorkee and MTech(Material Tech.) in 1986 from IIT, Mumbai. Presently, he is working as Scientist ‘F’ at Defence Laboratory (DL), Jodhpur. His areas of interest include Material and process development for defence applications. He has two patents awarded and two patent applied. He has around 50 research papers in national and International journals/ conferences.

Manoj Kumar Misra, Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur

Dr Manoj Kumar Misra obtained his MTech (Chemical Tech.) in 1999 from HBTI, Kanpur, and PhD (Chemical Kinetics) in 2005 from JNV University Jodhpur. Currently, he is working as Scientist ‘B’ at DL, Jodhpur. His areas of interest include: Chaff materials for advanced microwave application, phasechange materials, microencapsulation process, and electrolesscoating techniques. He has 10 research papers and one patent (filed) to his credit.

Rohitash Kumar, Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur

Mr Rohitash Kumar obtained his MSc(Physics) in 2000 from University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. Presently, he is working as Scientist ‘C’ at DL, Jodhpur. He has 5 publications and one patent (filed) to his credit.

Deepak Gupta, Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur

Mr Deepak Gupta obtained MSc (Electrical) in 2008 from
JNV University, Jodhpur. Presently, he is working as Scientist ‘C’ at DL, Jodhpur. He has three research papers and one patent (filed) in his credit.

P. K. Khatri, Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur

Defense Laboratory, Jodhpur, Rajasthan - 342011

B. B. Tak, Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur

Ms B.B. Tak has done BSc from Ajmer University. Presently, he is working as TO ‘B’ at DL, Jodhpur.

S. R. Meena, Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur

Mr S.R. Meena has done BSc in 1989. Presently, he is working as TO ‘B’ at DL, Jodhpur.

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Phase Change Materials: Technology Status and Potential Defence Applications (Review Papers)

Abstract

Author Biographies

References

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