Phase Change Materials From Fats and Oils

RENEWABLE ALTERNATIVES Inc. proposes to synthesize phase change materials (PCMs) from bio-based fats and oil and test these PCMs during a Phase I SBIR Program. PCMs are increasingly being used in residential and commercial building construction to reduce energy demands and costs for heating and cooling. Unfortunately, most PCMs are currently derived from petroleum products. The innovative bio-based PCMs to be developed during this SBIR Project represent an environmentally friendly and renewable alternative to conventional PCMs. During Phase I, RENEWABLE ALTERNATIVES will 1) demonstrate that PCMs with the proper melting point ranges can be produced from beef tallow and soybean oil feedstock, 2) characterize the performance of these products as PCMs, 3) identify viable additives and encapsulation methods to provide desired product life, and 4) identify robust and economically viable products for which processing details would be specified in Phase II investigation. The technology is protected by patent applications-on product synthesis and compositions. To complete this project RENEWABLE ALTERNATIVES has built an impressive team including the University of Missouri Department of Chemical Engineering, which has conducted extensive research into bio-based fuels and products.