*3.4.1 Mechanisms and benefits of CFT*

The cold finger is a device designed to prompt nucleation and crystallization in phase change materials (PCMs) at their phase change temperature. Functioning as a metal rod or plate cooled below the PCM's phase change point, it directly contacts the PCM, initiating cooling or solidification at its surface first. This method accelerates the PCM's shift to the solid phase by offering a surface for nucleation, thereby reducing the energy barrier for transition. Consequently, the Cold Finger Technique enhances the predictability and consistency of PCM phase changes, crucial for temperature stability and reliable performance in applications like thermal energy storage systems [79].
