TCCbuilder: An open-source simulation tool for thermal control circuits

Software

TCC builder app

TCCbuilder is an open-source web application for the design of thermal control elements and thermal control circuits, with user-friendly interface, and an associated library of materials and thermal control elements.

HOW TO CITE: The app is presented in the research article TCCbuilder: An open-source tool for the analysis of thermal switches, thermal diodes, thermal regulators, and thermal control circuits. DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.111263.

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Materials

Some of the most appropriate materials and their properties (e.g. thermal and physical properties of phase change materials, materials with anisotropy in thermal resistance, materials with changes in physical and thermal properties under applied external electric or magnetic field or force) from the literature to be used in TCEs are listed in our library.

Switches

Thermal switch is a two-terminal element which allows for heat flow or hinders it depending on a non-thermal control parameter such as an externally applied electric field, magnetic field, force or pressure. When the controlling parameter changes, so does the thermal resistance through the device. Examples of already designed switches are listed in our library.

Diodes

Thermal diode is a two-terminal element that rectifies heat flow. Its thermal resistance is asymmetrical and nonlinear in the forward and backward directions between the heat source and heat sink. Thermal resistance of such a TCE must exhibit spatial and temperature dependence. Most thermal diodes are based on solid-state physics, however, other designs, such as those involving fluids, are possible. Examples of already designed diodes are listed in our library.

Regulators

Thermal regulator is another two-terminal element, with thermal properties that are modified with temperature. It is analogous to electrical varistor (variable resistor). A possible use of thermal regulator is to maintain a desired temperature of a system, by switching between a high resistance state and a low resistance state. Thermal regulators are mostly made of materials that change phase at a critical temperature, which results in an abrupt change in thermal resistance of the material.
Examples of already designed regulators are listed in our library.