raw · articles · ingested 2026-07-02
A New Approach to Encapsulate Salt Hydrate PCM (US DOE / CMEI)
confidence: medium
Source: https://www.energy.gov/cmei/buildings/articles/new-approach-encapsulate-salt-hydrate-pcm
Source: US DOE Center for Materials Efficiency Innovation (energy.gov/cmei). Authoritative national-lab program. Credibility: Medium.
Key points
- Water-vapor permeation is a distinct failure mode: salt hydrates lose bound water through permeable coatings → energy-density drop. Need a true vapor barrier, not just a snap-lid.
- Durability bar: ≥5,000 cycles (~14 yr at 1 cycle/day) for “stable” encapsulation.
- Polymer coatings conduct only ~0.15 W/m·K — a thermal bottleneck (fine for passive glazing).