Abstract: Methods of encapsulating a phase change material in a capsule including suspending a particle of the phase change material in an air stream, coating an entire surface of the suspended particle with at least one layer of a sacrificial compound, coating an entire surface of the layer of the sacrificial compound with at least one layer of a second material, and encapsulating the phase change material within a shell formed by the second material. The step of encapsulating comprising heating the particle coated with the sacrificial compound and the second material, thermally decomposing the sacrificial compound, and vaporizing the sacrificial, wherein the sacrificial compound has a decomposition temperature less than a phase change temperature of the phase change material and a phase change temperature of the second material.

Abstract: Systems for storing and retrieving thermal energy in encapsulated phase change material are disclosed. Thermal energy is substantially stored and/or retrieved in the form of latent heat. The capsules comprise an outer shell which is impervious to both the heat transfer fluid within which they are submerged and the phase change material encapsulated therewithin. Methods for encapsulating the phase change material are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems for storing and retrieving thermal energy in encapsulated phase change material are disclosed. Thermal energy is substantially stored and/or retrieved in the form of latent heat. The capsules comprise an outer shell which is impervious to both the heat transfer fluid within which they are submerged and the phase change material encapsulated therewithin. Methods for encapsulating the phase change material are also disclosed.