New Material Stores Solar Energy as Heat for Years, Offering Potential for Nighttime Power
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Researchers have developed a new material that can absorb sunlight, store the energy in chemical bonds for years, and release it as heat on demand. The material, part of Molecular Solar Thermal (MOST) energy storage technology, stores more energy per kilogram than a conventional lithium-ion battery. This innovation could help address the challenge of storing solar power for use when the sun isn't shining.
Facts First
- A new material can store solar energy in chemical bonds and release it as heat when triggered.
- The material stores more than 1.6 megajoules per kilogram, exceeding the energy density of a typical lithium-ion battery.
- It is based on a modified organic molecule designed to reversibly change shape when exposed to light.
- The stored energy can be retained for years without significant loss, according to computational modeling.
- The material dissolves in water, which may enable integration with rooftop solar collectors and storage tanks.
What Happened
A research team led by Associate Professor Grace Han at UC Santa Barbara has described a new material in the journal Science that absorbs sunlight and stores the energy in chemical bonds. The material, part of Molecular Solar Thermal (MOST) energy storage technology, is based on a modified organic molecule called pyrimidone. The molecule stores energy by shifting into a strained, high-energy form after absorbing sunlight. When triggered by a small amount of heat or a catalyst, it returns to its original form, releasing the stored energy as heat. Researchers demonstrated that the released heat is sufficient to boil water under ambient conditions.
Why this Matters to You
This technology could lead to more reliable home heating and hot water systems powered by solar energy, even at night or on cloudy days. If successfully developed, it might reduce your reliance on the electrical grid or fossil fuels for heating, which could lower energy bills. The material's ability to store energy for years without significant loss means you could potentially have a seasonal energy reserve, capturing summer sun for winter heat.
What's Next
The research team... will likely continue to refine the material and explore its integration into practical systems. The project's support from the Moore Inventor Fellowship awarded to Grace Han in 2025 suggests ongoing development. The next steps may involve scaling up the material and testing it in prototype systems to move the technology closer to commercial application.