Phase change fibers and assemblies

Smart materials respond to environmental changes by actively altering their own properties. Phase change materials, as a type of important smart material, can interactively respond to environmental temperature change and can absorb, store, and release heat without changing their own temperature. The first and immediate application of phase change materials is in clothing. Phase change clothing can store or release heat energy without changing their own temperature; therefore, it can help the human body maintain the natural and comfortable temperature when environment and body temperature fluctuate. Phase change fibers and assemblies have been extensively studied since they were first introduced in the 1980s. They have been applied widely in casual wears, sportswear, protective clothing, diver's coveralls, and space suits and in civil engineering and electrical engineering. This chapter will present an up-to-date review on the various phase change fibers and assemblies in terms of mechanisms, manufacturing methods, performance, and applications. Although much progress has been made, many challenges are still waiting for solutions. The limitations of the various phase change fibers and assemblies are discussed. Future research directions in this field are suggested.