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Thermal energy storage using phase change materials (PCMs) is a research topic that has attracted much attention in recent decades. This is mainly due to the potential use of PCMs as latent storage media in a large variety of applications. Although many kinds of PCMs are already commercial products, advanced materials with improved properties and new latent storage concepts are required to better meet the specific requirements of different applications. Moreover, the development of common validation procedures for PCMs is an important issue that should be addressed in order to achieve commercial deployment and implementation of these kinds of materials in latent storage systems. The key subjects addressed on the five papers included in this Special Issue are related to methodologies for material selection, PCM validation and assessment procedures, innovative approaches of PCM applications together with simulation and testing of latent storage prototypes.

Technology: general issues --- thermal energy storage (TES) --- phase change material (PCM) --- heating and cooling --- material selection --- selection methodology --- heat transfer --- high power --- latent heat --- energy storage --- heat exchanger --- lithium-ion battery --- thermal management --- phase change material --- temperature --- heat dissipation fins --- capacity --- phase change materials (PCM) --- latent heat storage --- degradation --- thermal cycling stability --- stable supercooling --- latent heat thermal storage --- pcm --- 0D dynamic model --- multi-energy system --- district heating --- thermal network --- n/a

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Thermal energy storage using phase change materials (PCMs) is a research topic that has attracted much attention in recent decades. This is mainly due to the potential use of PCMs as latent storage media in a large variety of applications. Although many kinds of PCMs are already commercial products, advanced materials with improved properties and new latent storage concepts are required to better meet the specific requirements of different applications. Moreover, the development of common validation procedures for PCMs is an important issue that should be addressed in order to achieve commercial deployment and implementation of these kinds of materials in latent storage systems. The key subjects addressed on the five papers included in this Special Issue are related to methodologies for material selection, PCM validation and assessment procedures, innovative approaches of PCM applications together with simulation and testing of latent storage prototypes.

Technology: general issues --- thermal energy storage (TES) --- phase change material (PCM) --- heating and cooling --- material selection --- selection methodology --- heat transfer --- high power --- latent heat --- energy storage --- heat exchanger --- lithium-ion battery --- thermal management --- phase change material --- temperature --- heat dissipation fins --- capacity --- phase change materials (PCM) --- latent heat storage --- degradation --- thermal cycling stability --- stable supercooling --- latent heat thermal storage --- pcm --- 0D dynamic model --- multi-energy system --- district heating --- thermal network

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There is increasingly intensive research for energy storage technologies development due to the enhanced energy needs of the contemporary societies. Increased global energy consumption results in the reduction in the availability of traditional energy resources, such as coal, oil and natural gas. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new systems development based on the conversion and storage of sustainable and clean energy. Phase change materials (PCMs) are one of the key components for the development of advanced sustainable solutions in renewable energy and engineering systems. In order to update the field of renewable energy and engineering systems with the use of PCMs, a Special Issue entitled “Phase Change Materials: Design and Applications” is introduced. This book gathers and reviews the collection of ten contributions (nine articles and one review), with authors from Europe, Asia and Americam accepted for publication in the aforementioned Special Issue of Applied Sciences.

phase change materials --- thermal energy storage --- energy efficiency --- building applications --- construction materials --- phase-change material --- dispersion --- thermal-mechanical stability --- viscosity --- supercooling --- nucleating agent --- cold storage --- battery cooling --- LPMO --- Fourier Transform ac Voltammetry (FTacV) --- cyclic voltammetry --- Direct Electron Transfer (DET) --- lathrate hydrate --- tetrabutylammonium acrylate (TBAAc) --- crystal growth --- ultrasonic vibration --- polyurethane elastomers --- microencapsulated PCMs --- thermal properties --- mechanical properties --- phase change material --- sugar alcohol --- erythritol --- latent heat storage --- thermal stability --- degradation kinetics --- PCM --- mini-channels --- air --- melting --- solidification --- latent heat thermal energy storage --- phase change materials (PCM) --- macro-encapsulation --- rectangular slab --- experimental study --- sodium nitrate --- thermal conductivity --- microencapsulation --- latent heat --- multicriteria decision --- finite element --- automotive --- energy storage --- n/a

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Most of the typical materials employed in today’s constructions present limitations, especially concerning their durability, in either common or severe environmental conditions, and their impact on the environment. In response to these issues, academic and industrial efforts around the world have been devoted to developing new smart materials that can provide efficient alternatives, improve the energy efficiency of buildings, or can upgrade, repair, or protect existing infrastructures. Different and wide technological innovations are, therefore, quickly fostering advancements in the field of construction materials. A new generation of materials (bricks, cement, coatings, concrete, FRP, glass, masonry, mortars, nano-materials, PCM, polymers, steel, wood, etc.) is gaining a prominent position in modern building technology, since they can overcome various limits and flaws of conventional materials employed in constructions, without neglecting the smart applications of pioneering materials in ancient constructions and historic buildings. Even though the adoption of innovative materials in the construction field has been a successful route in achieving enhanced performance, or even new and unexpected characteristics, some issues have not been completely solved. On top of them, the cost/performance ratio of novel solutions, since their introduction must be convenient, without compromising quality. Other concerns are related to their sustainability, with eco-friendly options, possibly exploiting recycled materials or by-products from other productions, being the most desirable solution. Finally, the use of materials or systems that are unconventional in this field raises the need to update or develop new specifications and standards. This special issue aims at providing a platform for discussing open issues, challenges, and achievements related to innovative materials proposed for the construction industry.

Research & information: general --- Technology: general issues --- isogrid --- aircraft load-bearing structures --- finite elements method --- nonlinear numerical analyses --- stability --- equilibrium path --- cement --- gypsum --- hydraulic lime --- mechanical properties --- mortars --- phase-change materials (PCM) --- sustainable materials for buildings --- thermal energy storage --- glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebar --- ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) --- concrete headed GFRP rebar --- bond strength --- development length --- flexural strength --- precast concrete deck --- material selection --- project performance --- material property --- analytic hierarchy process (AHP) --- building construction --- concrete system form --- phase change material (PCM) --- thermal energy storage (TES) --- thermal properties --- Ca7ZrAl6O18 --- 27Al MAS NMR --- Sr-rich (Sr,C)3AH6 --- cement hydration --- refractories --- immobilization of radioactive Sr --- shrinkage-reducing agent --- compressive strength --- splitting tensile strength --- freezing and thawing --- spacing factor --- cultural heritage --- durability --- mechanical characterization --- retrofitting --- strengthening --- quasi-brittle material --- three-point bending test --- energy fracture --- NHL --- composite material --- jute --- MICP --- ureolytic bacteria --- biocement --- natural plant fiber --- ladle furnace slag --- reclaimed asphalt pavements --- cold in-place recycling --- simple compressive strength --- bitumen emulsion --- waste --- circular economy --- bacteria --- biocementation --- construction --- microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation --- n/a

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Most of the typical materials employed in today’s constructions present limitations, especially concerning their durability, in either common or severe environmental conditions, and their impact on the environment. In response to these issues, academic and industrial efforts around the world have been devoted to developing new smart materials that can provide efficient alternatives, improve the energy efficiency of buildings, or can upgrade, repair, or protect existing infrastructures. Different and wide technological innovations are, therefore, quickly fostering advancements in the field of construction materials. A new generation of materials (bricks, cement, coatings, concrete, FRP, glass, masonry, mortars, nano-materials, PCM, polymers, steel, wood, etc.) is gaining a prominent position in modern building technology, since they can overcome various limits and flaws of conventional materials employed in constructions, without neglecting the smart applications of pioneering materials in ancient constructions and historic buildings. Even though the adoption of innovative materials in the construction field has been a successful route in achieving enhanced performance, or even new and unexpected characteristics, some issues have not been completely solved. On top of them, the cost/performance ratio of novel solutions, since their introduction must be convenient, without compromising quality. Other concerns are related to their sustainability, with eco-friendly options, possibly exploiting recycled materials or by-products from other productions, being the most desirable solution. Finally, the use of materials or systems that are unconventional in this field raises the need to update or develop new specifications and standards. This special issue aims at providing a platform for discussing open issues, challenges, and achievements related to innovative materials proposed for the construction industry.

Research & information: general --- Technology: general issues --- isogrid --- aircraft load-bearing structures --- finite elements method --- nonlinear numerical analyses --- stability --- equilibrium path --- cement --- gypsum --- hydraulic lime --- mechanical properties --- mortars --- phase-change materials (PCM) --- sustainable materials for buildings --- thermal energy storage --- glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebar --- ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) --- concrete headed GFRP rebar --- bond strength --- development length --- flexural strength --- precast concrete deck --- material selection --- project performance --- material property --- analytic hierarchy process (AHP) --- building construction --- concrete system form --- phase change material (PCM) --- thermal energy storage (TES) --- thermal properties --- Ca7ZrAl6O18 --- 27Al MAS NMR --- Sr-rich (Sr,C)3AH6 --- cement hydration --- refractories --- immobilization of radioactive Sr --- shrinkage-reducing agent --- compressive strength --- splitting tensile strength --- freezing and thawing --- spacing factor --- cultural heritage --- durability --- mechanical characterization --- retrofitting --- strengthening --- quasi-brittle material --- three-point bending test --- energy fracture --- NHL --- composite material --- jute --- MICP --- ureolytic bacteria --- biocement --- natural plant fiber --- ladle furnace slag --- reclaimed asphalt pavements --- cold in-place recycling --- simple compressive strength --- bitumen emulsion --- waste --- circular economy --- bacteria --- biocementation --- construction --- microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation