Experimental and Numerical Characterization of Phase-Change Materials

Write your awesome label here.
  • Author
    Omar Osman
  • PHD Advisor
    Dr. Alissar Yehya
  • Level
    Intermediate
  • Study time
    ~ 25 minutes
  • Videos
    5
  • Contact
    omo01@mail.aub.edu
    Advisor: ay36@aub.edu.lb

Module Description

This module introduces a practical framework for the experimental and numerical characterization of phase-change materials (PCM) used in building envelopes and thermal storage systems. It addresses the limitations of conventional PCM characterization methods, such as differential scanning calorimetry, which do not capture the effects of convection, geometry, and realistic heat transfer conditions present in buildings. The module examines how PCM behaves inside realistic enclosures through in-situ thermal response measurements, physics-based CFD modeling, and inverse identification of effective enthalpy–temperature properties. These effective properties are then translated into forms suitable for reduced-order building energy simulation tools, enabling more reliable modeling of PCM-enhanced walls and façades without resorting to full CFD simulations.


 Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, participants will be able to:


  • Understand why conventional DSC-based PCM properties are insufficient for building-scale applications.
  • Interpret application-scale PCM behavior using effective enthalpy–temperature representations and apply these properties in building energy and envelope simulations.
created by

Omar Osman

Omar Osman is a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering specializing in dynamic phase-change systems and thermal energy storage (TES). His research focuses on tuning PCM behavior and enhancing charge-discharge cycling through geometric reconfiguration and controlled ventilation strategies. He designs and builds laboratory-scale prototypes and custom experimental rigs to investigate enclosure-scale phase transitions, integrating sensing, fabrication, and multiphysics modeling. His work bridges climate-responsive PCM design with deployable adaptive façade systems for Mediterranean building applications.
Main Advisor

Dr. Alissar Yehya

Alissar Yehya is an Assistant Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the American University of Beirut and a sustainability-driven researcher and entrepreneur specializing in advanced materials and energy systems. Her research focuses on phase change materials (PCM), dynamic building envelopes, and innovative thermal energy storage solutions to accelerate decarbonization in buildings and industry. She integrates AI-driven optimization, system dynamics, and lifecycle thinking to develop scalable, climate-responsive technologies. Dr. Yehya is also the President and Co-Founder of Betafeld LLC, a Boston-based startup, where she leads the development of MatLoop, a patented AI-powered logistics platform aimed at reducing organic waste and supply chain inefficiencies. Her work bridges engineering, digital intelligence, and systems transformation to advance scalable climate solutions that are technically rigorous, economically viable, and socially impactful.
acknowledgment
This module is part of Omar Osman's PhD work at AUB. Contributors to the work: Dr Alissar Yehya (PhD advisor); Dr Elsa Maalouf; José-Maria Azizi.