Functional phase change materials (PCMs) capable of reversibly storing and releasing tremendous thermal energy during the isothermal phase change process have recently received tremendous attention in interdisciplinary applications. The smart integration of PCMs with functional supporting materials enables multiple cutting-edge interdisciplinary applications, including optical, electrical, magnetic, acoustic, medical, mechanical, and catalytic disciplines etc. Herein, we systematically discuss thermal storage mechanism, thermal transfer mechanism, and energy conversion mechanism, and summarize the state-of-the-art advances in interdisciplinary applications of PCMs. In particular, the applications of PCMs in acoustic, mechanical, and catalytic disciplines are still in their infancy. Simultaneously, in-depth insights into the correlations between microscopic structures and thermophysical properties of composite PCMs are revealed. Finally, current challenges and future prospects are also highlighted according to the up-to-date interdisciplinary applications of PCMs. This review aims to arouse broad research interest in the interdisciplinary community and provide constructive references for exploring next generation advanced multifunctional PCMs for interdisciplinary applications, thereby facilitating their major breakthroughs in both fundamental researches and commercial applications.

中文翻译：

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用于跨学科应用的相变蓄热材料

能够在等温相变过程中可逆地储存和释放巨大热能的功能相变材料 (PCM) 最近在跨学科应用中受到了极大的关注。PCMs与功能性支撑材料的智能集成实现了多个前沿交叉学科的应用，包括光学、电学、磁学、声学、医学、机械和催化学科等。在此，我们系统地讨论了储热机制、热传递机制和能量转换机制，并总结了 PCM 跨学科应用的最新进展。特别是，PCM 在声学、机械和催化学科中的应用仍处于起步阶段。同时地，揭示了对复合 PCM 的微观结构与热物理性质之间相关性的深入见解。最后，根据 PCM 的最新跨学科应用，还强调了当前的挑战和未来的前景。本综述旨在引起跨学科界的广泛研究兴趣，为探索下一代先进多功能 PCM 的跨学科应用提供建设性参考，从而促进其在基础研究和商业应用方面的重大突破。