| abstract |
A device for storing and discharging heat that employs thermal energy storage materials (TESM) and related methods of manufacturing the device. The device includes a housing, an array of capsules within the housing, and TESM contained in the capsules. The device exhibits a high initial power density. The TESM is encapsulated between metal plies. The metal plies may have a thickness on the order of 10 −1 to 10 2 μm. The capsules may have a thickness from 0.5 mm to 20 mm. The volume fraction of TESM in the housing may be 0.5 or more. The housing includes an inlet, an outlet, and one or more flow paths for flowing a heat transfer fluid through the housing. The flow paths and the capsules are arranged so that the device has the required average initial power density. |