Thermo-Chemical Materials Lab

The Thermo-Chemical Materials Lab studies materials for compact loss free storage of thermal energy (heat and cold). Thermal energy storage is a key element for a successful energy transition as renewable energy production fluctuates. This leads to a mismatch in production and consumption. Presently, there is a lack of materials able to store heat for periods longer than a day. Thermo-chemical materials (TCM’s) form a promising class for compact loss free storage over periods of weeks, months and even a year. In our lab we study salt hydrates for low temperature heat storage based on hydration transitions (water molecules are incorporated into the crystal lattice of the salt). Hydrating a crystal leads to energy release, while dehydration results in energy storage. We study the mechanisms of (de)hydration in order to understand the power output of TCM’s. Further we try to accelerate the power output by doping the crystals and stabilize the performance of TCM’s by making hybrid organic/inorganic matrices.