US Patent 7919184 - Phase change nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7919184.html

This patent teaches a new form of nanostructured material designed to increase specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of heat transfer fluids. Claim 1 reads:

1. A hybrid nanoparticle comprising:

a phase change material constituting an inner core of said hybrid nanoparticle, wherein the phase change material comprises one of hydrocarbons, wax, paraffins, salt hydrates, silicones, and polymers; and

an impermeable metal shell, the impermeable metal shell encapsulating the phase change material and containing said phase change material in different phases of said phase change material.