Master's thesis: Next-Generation PCM Paper: Sustainable Thermal Management with Cellulose–Graphene Composites

At TechMark Arena 2026 – a master thesis school at RISE.

Background
Efficient thermal management is critical for modern electronics, batteries, and compact energy systems. Phase-change materials (PCMs) offer a powerful solution by storing and releasing heat through solid–liquid transitions. Yet, conventional PCM systems—often based on encapsulated paraffins—face major challenges: leakage, low thermal conductivity, and poor sustainability.

This project pioneers the concept of a PCM paper: a lightweight, flexible, and bio-based composite in which cellulose fibers provide a robust, porous scaffold, graphene forms high-conductivity thermal pathways, and paraffin serves as the latent heat storage medium. By confining paraffin within a paper-like cellulose–graphene network, the material enables leakage-free, reversible thermal cycling in a form factor suitable for flexible electronics, wearable devices, and compact energy systems.

Project research topics

The aim of the project is to develop sustainable PCM paper with enhanced thermal conductivity and structural stability, exploring its potential as a flexible, lightweight, and environmentally friendly thermal management material. The project will focus on the following research topics:

1. How does graphene incorporation enhance the thermal conductivity of cellulose–graphene PCM paper?

1. What porosity and fiber network structure maximize paraffin retention without leakage?

1. How robust is the PCM paper under repeated thermal cycling in terms of heat storage and mechanical integrity?

1. Can the composite be fabricated into thin, flexible, or foldable sheets suitable for electronics, batteries, or wearable thermal buffering?

Project activities
The student will first conduct a literature study on sustainable PCMs, cellulose-based composites, and graphene-enhanced thermal materials. Building on this, he or she will design and fabricate paper-like PCM composites through two complementary strategies:

1. Impregnation Method: Porous cellulose–graphene sheets will be thermally infused with molten paraffin. This approach allows high PCM loading while preserving the flexible, sheet-like structure, enabling exploration of how porosity, fiber alignment, and graphene content influence thermal performance and leakage resistance.

1. Solid-State Mixing and Compression: Dry cellulose fibers, graphene, and paraffin will be blended and compressed into thin sheets, producing leakage-resistant PCM paper with scalable and simple processing, while maintaining mechanical and thermal performance.

Comprehensive characterization will include DSC (heat storage capacity and phase-change behavior), thermal conductivity measurements, microscopy (material distribution and network structure), and thermal cycling tests (stability and leakage). Performance comparisons will identify the optimal design for high-performance, sustainable PCM paper.

Expected outcomes
The project will deliver a next-generation PCM paper that combines sustainability, flexibility, high thermal conductivity, and robust latent heat storage. This material opens the door to lightweight, flexible, and eco-friendly thermal management solutions for electronics cooling, battery temperature control, and other compact energy applications.

By highlighting the sheet-like, flexible format, the work positions PCM paper as a transformative approach to passive thermal management, bridging materials science, sustainability, and applied engineering.

Student profile
This master thesis is suitable for students in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related fields. Interest in sustainable materials and thermal management is highly beneficial.

Terms
Credits: 30 points
Compensation: SEK after project completion and approval.
Location and start date: RISE Smart Hardware located in Stockholm, Drottning Kristinas väg 6, with several experimental work visits to RISE Smart Hardware in Norrköping, Södragrytsgatan 4. Master's thesis starts in January 2026.

Supervisory team 
Supervisor: Prof. Reverant Crispin (Linköping University)

Co-supervisors: Andreas Fall (RISE),  and Assistant Prof. Zia Ullah Khan (Linköping University)

Interested?
Send in your application no later than December 5th. Selection and interviews may be conducted on an ongoing basis during the application period.

Master Thesis, RISE, Linköping Universitet, LCA, cellulose, graphene, PCM, phase-change material, graphene.