Seminar: PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS IN BUILDINGS: Innovative Use of PCMs in Timber Buildings
International Seminar: PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS IN BUILDINGS - Innovative Use of PCMs in Timber Buildings
🗓️ Wednesday, 3 September 2025 🕘 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM 📍 Hall S.39, Building B37 – Institute of Mathematics, Sart Tilman, Liège (in person only)
🌿 Explore how Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are transforming energy efficiency in buildings, with a spotlight on a real-world timber building case study in Belgium.
🗓️ Program Highlights· Shady Attia 阿提亚 沙帝 – Phase Change Materials (PCM) for Building Integration and Applications·
Piet J.J. Kerckhof – Thermal Inertia in Lightweight Constructions·
Zhaoli Zhang – An Adaptive Regulator of Photothermal/Radiative Cooling Based on PCM: Structural Design, Operational Mechanism and Performance Analysis·
Dania Galeone – Thermal Performance Optimization of a Nearly Zero-Energy Timber House Using PCMs: Simulation and Monitoring Under Future Climate Scenarios
🔗 Registration details:https://lnkd.in/eK2RjVyb
🔗 More info:👉 https://lnkd.in/e6guQEiY🎓
Organized by: University of Liège & Southwest Jiaotong University With support from FNRS PINT Bilat M – R.M006.23 and NSFC China
🌍 Let’s meet, learn, and push the boundaries of sustainable design together. See you in Liège!
#PCMs #TimberConstruction #ThermalStorage #SustainableArchitecture #EnergyEfficiency #BuildingInnovation #ClimateResponsiveDesign #LowCarbonBuildings
Explore how Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are transforming energy efficiency in buildings, with a spotlight on a real-world timber building case study in Belgium.
Seminar Program
1. Shady Attia
Title of presentation: Phase Change Materials (PCM) for Building Integration and Applications
Abstract: This presentation provides a critical literature review on the integration of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in buildings, with a focus on their role in enhancing thermal storage, energy flexibility, and indoor thermal comfort. The review draws on recent advances in both passive and active PCM systems, including form-stable composites, thermosyphon-assisted devices, radiative cooling-PCM hybrids, and dynamically controlled latent heat storage units. Special attention is given to applications in multilayer envelope assemblies, lightweight timber structures, and HVAC-integrated systems under various climate scenarios. The performance of PCM-enhanced systems is evaluated in terms of heat transfer behavior, control optimization, and space conditioning efficiency. These insights are framed within the context of IEA Task 43, which aims to standardize the use of thermally activated building mass—including PCMs—as a distributed storage solution supporting renewable integration and load shifting.
Short biography: Prof. Dr. Shady Attia is a full professor of sustainable architecture and building science at the University of Liège, Belgium. His research focuses on building thermal storage, thermal comfort, and energy flexibility strategies for zero-carbon buildings. He has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles on advanced PCM technologies, including hybrid systems with dynamic controls and photothermal enhancements. Through his leadership at the Sustainable Building Design Lab, he contributes to international efforts to improve climate-responsive design and performance-based building envelopes. Prof. Attia is an active member of the International Energy Agency’s Task 43 on Thermal Energy Storage, where he supports the development of evaluation methods and best practices for PCM integration in thermally activated building mass.
2. Piet Kerckhof
Title of presentation: Thermal Inertia in Lightweight Constructions
Abstract: So little is known about phase changing materials. A lot of research has to be done before we can discover the impact of the material during phase changes. The term “intelligent inertia” closely captures the potential of PCMs. In circular and biobased constructions, PCMs are essential to compensate for minimized concrete use and maximize lightweight design. Drawing from lived experience in a PCM-integrated home, this lecture advocates for PCM use in biobased buildings and reflects on energy savings through personal insights.
Short biography: Architect (1986). Founder of Wood Architects and Wood Engineers. Board member and current president of PIXII (PassiefHuis Platform). Former president of the Order of Architects (East Flanders). Advocate for sustainable and biobased construction practices in Belgium.
3. Zhaoli Zhang
Title of presentation: An Adaptive Regulator of Photothermal/Radiative Cooling Based on PCM: Structural Design, Operational Mechanism and Performance Analysis
Abstract: This presentation introduces a zero-energy-input adaptive thermal regulator that autonomously switches between passive solar heating and radiative cooling modes based on ambient temperature. Relying on the phase change of PCMs, the surface alternates between high infrared emission and solar absorption. Thermochromic behavior, switching temperature, spectral characteristics, and performance in building simulations across climates are explored. Results indicate significant HVAC energy savings, especially in climates with high seasonal variability.
Short biography: Dr. Zhaoli Zhang is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, China. He has held positions at Arizona State University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel. His research centers on thermal energy storage and energy-efficient technologies, with over 50 SCI-indexed publications.
4. Dania Galeone
Title of presentation: Thermal Performance Optimization of a Nearly Zero-Energy Timber House Using PCMs: Simulation and Monitoring Under Future Climate Scenarios
Abstract: This presentation investigates PCM integration in a lightweight timber house using simulation and real monitoring data. Scenarios explore thermal comfort improvement and energy savings under both current and future climates. Key material properties and practical integration methods are analyzed. The study identifies opportunities and constraints of PCM use in low-mass buildings, proposing effective climate-responsive strategies.
Short biography: Dania Galeone is a Master’s student in Building Engineering focused on green building strategies. Her thesis explores PCMs in sustainable architecture, emphasizing simulation-based design and climate resilience.
Project:
Phase change energy storage is a technology that utilizes the heat effect accompanying the phase transition of phase change materials to achieve energy storage. It is believed to have unique technological advantages in passive railway tunnel thermal environment control. However, the inherent low thermal conductivity and liquid leakage of melted phase change materials severely limit the energy storage rate, affecting the promotion and application of phase change materials in tunnel thermal environmental control. This research proposes an interfacial polymerization technology within a multiple emulsion to build millimeter-sized, shape-stable phase change materials with a typical core-shell structure. The functional composite phase change materials integrate temperature control of phase change materials and shape the performance of flexible silicone materials, realizing the dual effects of overcoming liquid leakage of phase change materials and enhancing effective structural strength. Nanocarbon materials are planned to be introduced into the composite phase change materials to enhance thermal conductivity. Thermophysical properties and structural morphology of functional composite phase change materials will be tested. This research will analyze the structural strength and stability of built functional composite phase change materials and obtain the thermophysical properties, enhancing the strategy of phase change materials available to railway tunnels. The research achievements are expected to provide feasible technical support for effectively regulating the thermal environment in tunnels.
Publications:
1. Zhong, W., Min, W., Cao, X., Zhang, N., Leng, Z., Yuan, Y., & Attia, S. (2022). Heat transfer performance of a device integrating thermosyphon with form-stable phase change materials. Journal of Energy Storage, 54, 105315.
2. Zhang, Z., Zhang, N., Yuan, Y., Phelan, P. E., & Attia, S. (2023). Thermal performance analysis of an existing building heating based on a novel active phase change heater. Energy and Buildings, 278, 112646.
3. Zhang, Z., Zhang, N., Yuan, Y., Phelan, P. E., & Attia, S. (2023). Thermal performance of a dynamic insulation-phase change material system and its application in multilayer hollow walls. Journal of Energy Storage, 62, 106912.
4. Zhang, Z., Liu, J., Zhang, N., Cao, X., Yuan, Y., Sultan, M., & Attia, S. (2023). Dynamic discharging performance of a latent heat thermal energy storage system based on a PID controller. Journal of Energy Storage, 71, 107911.
5. Zhang, Z., Liu, J., Zhang, N., Cao, X., Yuan, Y., Sultan, M., & Attia, S. (2024). Coupling effect of radiative cooling and phase change material on building wall thermal performance. Journal of Building Engineering, 82, 108344.
6. Zhang, N., Pan, X., Zhang, Z., Yuan, Y., Sultan, M., & Attia, S. (2024). Carbonated balsa-based shape-stable phase change materials with photothermal conversion and application in a greenhouse. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 266, 112699.
7. Zhang, Z., Chen, X., Zhang, N., Yuan, Y., Dzhonova-Atanasova, D., & Attia, S. (2025). Optimal design and performance investigation of latent heat thermal energy storage system integrated with nonuniformed topology fins. Journal of Energy Storage, 121, 116564.
8. Zhou, X., Cao, X., Leng, Z., Zeng, C., Yuan, Y., & Attia, S. (2025). Hygrothermal behavior of energy diaphragm wall and the induced heat and moisture interaction with adjacent underground space. Underground Space. doi:10.1016/j.undsp.2025.01.006
9. Zhang, Z., Wang, G., Zhang, N., Dzhonova, D., Attia, S., & Yuan, Y. (2025). Dynamic volumetric forces-driven phase change behavior and gradient structure design of copper foam/paraffin CPCMs. Journal of Energy Storage, 124, 116914. doi:10.1016/j.est.2025.116914
Project partners
Southwest Jiaotong University
Liège University
Project Funding
FNRS PINT Bilat M - R.M006.23
NSFC China
Contact
Zhaoli Zhang