Scientists "bottle the sun" with a liquid battery that stores solar energy
3 days ago
- #molecular solar thermal
- #solar energy storage
- #renewable energy innovation
- Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed a liquid 'rechargeable sun battery' that stores solar energy in molecular chemical bonds.
- The technology uses a modified organic molecule called pyrimidone, inspired by reversible changes in DNA and photochromic sunglasses, to achieve high energy density.
- The material can retain stored energy for years and release it as heat on demand, demonstrated by boiling water under ambient conditions.
- With an energy storage capacity exceeding 1.6 MJ/kg, it outperforms lithium-ion batteries and avoids the need for separate electrical storage systems.
- Potential applications include off-grid heating and home water heating, with support from the Moore Inventor Fellowship to advance development.