ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal
This is a page describing data taken during an experiment at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. Information about the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source can be found at https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk.
Investigating the Ångstrom?Nano-scale Structure of Supercooled and Vitrified Sugars for Renewable Energy Storage
Abstract: Phase change materials (PCMs) are a new frontier in energy storage technology for renewable energy integration and efficiency. PCMs work by storing large amounts of latent thermal energy in a narrow temperature window via a solid liquid phase transition, offering high energy density, scalability, no reliance on rare earths, and potential use in Carnot batteries. Sugar-alcohols are particularly well-suited as PCMs due to their high energy densities, intermediate melting points (~100 200 C), abundance, low toxicity, and environmental compatibility. These properties make them suitable for renewable energy storage, and waste-heat recovery. We hypothesise that the solidification behaviour of sugar-based PCMs is governed by hydrogen bonding networks and heterogeneous structure in the supercooled state. We aim to characterise the structural and dynamical evolution of sugar-alcohols from liquid, through supercooling, and into solidification through neutron scattering and molecular dynamics simulations. In doing so, we will establish structure property relationships, linking local and meso-structure to crystallisation, allowing for a shift from the empirical screening of PCMs to rational chemical design. The information gleaned from this proposal will complete an existing data set of SAXS/WAXS, quasi-elastic and inelastic neutron scattering and molecular dynamic simulations.
Principal Investigator: Dr Karolina Matuszek
Local Contact: Dr Tristan Youngs
Experimenter: Miss Laura Thomas
Experimenter: Dr Caleb Stamper
DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2610319
ISIS Experiment Number: RB2610319
| Part DOI | Instrument | Public release date | Download Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2610319-1 | NIMROD | 30 May 2029 | Download |
Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source
Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation
The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research
publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher],
[doi]
For Example:
Dr Karolina Matuszek et al; (2026): Investigating the Ångstrom?Nano-scale Structure of Supercooled and Vitrified Sugars for Renewable Energy Storage, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2610319
Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.
