Abstract: A method for producing a form-stable phase-change material to nucleate sugar alcohols includes directionally freezing a slurry of solid chitosan and solvent and additives, providing a frozen slurry including unidirectional pillars of frozen solvent that force suspended solid particles into interstices, exposing the frozen slurry to conditions causing sublimation of the solvent of the frozen slurry to remove frozen solvent and provide a body having pillars of vacancies therein, sintering the body to provide a scaffold including the pillars of vacancies therein, graphitizing the scaffold by heating in argon, treating the scaffold with aqueous base, and adding a molten sugar alcohol phase-change material to the scaffold such that the molten phase-change material is drawn into the pillars of vacancies by capillary action to provide the form-stable phase-change material having reduced hysteresis of the melting point of the sugar alcohol phase-change material.

Abstract: A method for producing a form-stable phase-change material to nucleate sugar alcohols includes directionally freezing a slurry of solid chitosan and solvent and additives, providing a frozen slurry including unidirectional pillars of frozen solvent that force suspended solid particles into interstices, exposing the frozen slurry to conditions causing sublimation of the solvent of the frozen slurry to remove frozen solvent and provide a body having pillars of vacancies therein, sintering the body to provide a scaffold including the pillars of vacancies therein, graphitizing the scaffold by heating in argon, treating the scaffold with aqueous base, and adding a molten sugar alcohol phase-change material to the scaffold such that the molten phase-change material is drawn into the pillars of vacancies by capillary action to provide the form-stable phase-change material having reduced hysteresis of the melting point of the sugar alcohol phase-change material.

Abstract: A method for producing a form-stable phase-change material includes freezing a slurry of solid and solvent to provide a frozen slurry, exposing the frozen slurry to conditions causing sublimation of the frozen solvent to remove solvent and provide a body having vacancies therein, sintering the body to provide a scaffold, and adding a molten phase-change material to the scaffold to provide the form-stable phase-change material. The same scaffold when ground acts as a phase-change nucleating aid.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include a base and fluid flow plates which cooperate with the base to define a cavity; a phase change material contained within the cavity; an extendable extension spring at least partially contained within the phase change material; and end plates which cooperate with the fluid flow plates to define fluid flow channels. The apparatus may include a housing that holds a heat exchanger and phase change material. Inlet and outlet ports allow for the ingress and egress of a heat exchange fluid into the fluid flow channels or heat exchanger. In operation, the extension of the extendable extension spring induces solidification of at least a portion of the phase change material from a supercooled liquid state to a solid state, releasing thermal energy, allowing for the transfer of thermal energy across the fluid flow plates or heat exchanger from the phase change material to the heat exchange fluid.

Abstract: A method for producing a form-stable phase-change material includes freezing a slurry of solid and solvent to provide a frozen slurry, exposing the frozen slurry to conditions causing sublimation of the frozen solvent to remove solvent and provide a body having vacancies therein, sintering the body to provide a scaffold, and adding a molten phase-change material to the scaffold to provide the form-stable phase-change material. The same scaffold when ground acts as a phase-change nucleating aid.

Abstract: A magnetic tracking tag for animals may detect the occurrence of a predation event. The tag may include a pH sensitive material that degrades in the environment of a predator's gut. The degradation of the pH sensitive material causes a change in a detectable magnetic field of the tag, which allows the tag to detect the predation event and adjust its operation accordingly.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base and fluid flow plates which cooperate with the base to define a cavity; a phase change material contained within the cavity; an extendable extension spring at least partially contained within the phase change material; and end plates which cooperate with the fluid flow plates to define fluid flow channels. Inlet and outlet ports allow for the ingress and egress of a heat exchange fluid into the fluid flow channels. In operation, the extension of the extendable extension spring induces solidification of at least a portion of the phase change material from a supercooled liquid state to a solid state, releasing thermal energy, allowing for the transfer of thermal energy across the fluid flow plates from the phase change material to the heat exchange fluid.

Abstract: A magnetic tracking tag for animals may detect the occurrence of a predation event. The tag may include a pH sensitive material that degrades in the environment of a predator's gut. The degradation of the pH sensitive material causes a change in a detectable magnetic field of the tag, which allows the tag to detect the predation event and adjust its operation accordingly.

Abstract: A tracking tag for aquatic animals may detect the occurrence of a predation event. The tag may include a pH sensitive material that degrades in the environment of an animal's gut. The degradation of the pH sensitive material causes a change in a detectable characteristic of the tag, which allows the tag to detect the predation event and adjust its operation accordingly.

Abstract: A tracking tag for aquatic animals may detect the occurrence of a predation event. The tag may include a pH sensitive material that degrades in the environment of an animal's gut. The degradation of the pH sensitive material causes a change in a detectable characteristic of the tag, which allows the tag to detect the predation event and adjust its operation accordingly.

Abstract: A tracking tag for aquatic animals may detect the occurrence of a predation event. The tag may include a pH sensitive material that degrades in the environment of an animal's gut. The degradation of the pH sensitive material causes a change in a detectable characteristic of the tag, which allows the tag to detect the predation event and adjust its operation accordingly.