Systems for Sustainable Heat

Applied Physics
The Applied Physics department has intensive research activities on novel material for TCM- and PCM-based storage systems. This involves understanding the physics underlying the storage, improving kinetics (power) by addition of dopants, boosting heat transfer by adding high conductive fibers, etc. Research is done with a mix of experimental and modeling tools. The group Transport in Permeable Media (TPM) hosts the DarcyLab with a wide range of imaging techniques (NMR and CT) and has wide range of thermal analysis tools.  Furthermore, excellent expertise on multiscale modeling tools is present in the CCER and the group Materials Simulation and Modelling (MSM).

Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
The energy- related research at the Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Department is extensive and carried out by several research groups. Focus on novel materials (synthesis and characterization) for energy applications can be found in the research groups “Inorganic materials and catalysis” (catalysts), “Stimuli-responsive functional materials & devices” (sustainable energy), "Membrane materials and processes” (membranes, porous materials) and “Molecular materials and nanosystems” (photovoltaics). The focus on novel materials is complemented by the research activities of the “Multi-scale modelling for multiphase chemical reactors and sustainable chemical processes” group, which focuses on sustainable, efficient and safe technologies for separation, process intensification, electrochemical engineering, biomass conversion. The CEC department hosts material diagnostics (IR, Raman, XPS, XRD, NMR, TEM etc.), state-of-the art nearly in situ electrochemistry (NAP-XPS) and electrochemistry equipments and reactors (including the spinning disc electrolyzers).

Mechanical Engineering
Energy Technology group as part of Mechanical Engineering is doing multi-level research of energy storage systems involving both thermochemical and phase change materials. Development of multi-scale simulation methods involving ab-initio, molecular, stochastic and continuum techniques for fundamental understanding of heat storage mechanism is strongly supported by experimental research. Experimental research is strongly boosted by the excellent lab facility. Energy research topics are enhanced by the  fundamental and generic nature of group research on heat and flow. The focus is thus on dynamics and control of (nonlinear) energy systems and in particular on heat and mass transfer in fluidic systems, modelling of energy networks for heat and electricity, modelling of geothermal systems, dynamic models for heat pumps (together with TNO). Computation Design of Energy research materials is enhanced by the strong collaboration with CCER/DIFFER.

Built Environment
Building Materials (BM) is a research group within the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) Building Physics and Services (BPS) unit. Through a scientifically and technically driven design and production methodology, the goals are to obtain more sustainable, durable and functional materials and products. The group focuses on solving practical problems, answering scientific questions, examining new raw materials and developing innovative products in order to achieve ‘more with less’. Research interests include development of new energy  materials and their characterization. Through experimental and theoretical approaches, research is conducted into particle packing, physical transport phenomena,  hydration and dehydration reactions of thermo-chemical materials for heat storage systems.