PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS FOR ENHANCED HEAT TRANSFER FLUID PERFORMANCE

A composition for enhanced heat transfer fluid performance. The composition includes at least one base heat transfer fluid. The at least one base heat transfer fluid undergoes one or more phase changes in a heat transfer process. The heat transfer process includes a heated zone and/or a cooled zone. The one or more phase changes increase heat removal from the heated zone and/or increase heat rejection in the cooled zone, as compared to heat removal from a heated zone and/or heat rejection in a cooled zone of a heat transfer process having a base heat transfer fluid that does not undergo one or more phase changes. The base heat transfer fluids can exhibit liquid crystal behavior (e.g., heat transfer fluids having nematic, smectic or discotic liquid crystals). A method for conducting heat transfer in a heating and/or cooling system using the compositions comprising the base heat transfer fluids.