Gel comprising a phase-change material, method of preparing the gel, thermal exchange implement comprising the gel, and method of preparing the thermal exchange implement

A method of preparing a gel, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a phase-change material, wherein the phase-change material comprises at least one n-alkane;
• (b) providing a gelling agent;
• (c) mixing the phase-change material and the gelling agent at a first temperature at which the phase-change material is in a liquid state and which is below the flash point of the phase-change material and at which the mixture is not a viscoelastic liquid, whereby a non-homogenous mixture is produced;
• (d) then, heating the non-homogeneous mixture to a second temperature that is below the flash point of the phase-change material and at which a viscoelastic liquid is formed;
• and
• (e) then, cooling the viscoelastic liquid to room temperature.

A method of preparing a thermal exchange implement, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a phase-change material;
• (b) providing a gelling agent;
• (c) providing a thermal exchange implement container;
• (d) mixing the phase-change material and the gelling agent at a first temperature at which the phase-change material is in a liquid state and which is below the flash point of the phase-change material and at which the mixture is not a viscoelastic liquid, whereby a non-homogenous mixture is produced;
• (e) then, heating the non-homogeneous mixture to a second temperature that is below the flash point of the phase-change material and at which the non-homogeneous mixture forms a viscoelastic liquid;
• and
• (f) then, cooling the viscoelastic liquid to room temperature;
• (g) wherein the heating and cooling steps are performed while the non-homogeneous mixture is disposed within the thermal exchange implement container.