Researchers at UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) have developed a clear, reusable liquid that captures solar energy directly and holds it as chemical energy for months or longer, then releases the stored energy as heat when needed. All of this is feasible without the use of batteries or the conversion of energy into electricity, according to a recent study published in the journal Science. This is known as a molecular solar-thermal system, and it is enabled by the clever chemical pyrimidone.
This molecule is inspired by some of the forms discovered in DNA molecules. When exposed to sunlight, particularly UV rays, it tends to wobble slightly. It transitions from a relaxed to a high-energy state, known as a Dewar isomer. In the process, it tends to store this energy in the form of chemical bonds, similar to how a spring would be compressed. The good news is that this molecule remains stable in its high-energy state for 481 days at room temperature, which is extremely remarkable.
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To release the energy stored inside the molecule, simply give it a small push, such as with heat or a catalyst. This causes the molecule to return to its relaxed state, releasing the energy as heat. The nicest part about this liquid is that it can be reused many times and does not degrade like batteries after a few cycles. In fact, it can withstand many charging and draining cycles.
In terms of energy density, this liquid is the clear winner. It has the capacity to store around 1.65 megajoules of energy per kilogram of liquid. This is nearly double the quantity that a lithium-ion battery can store. This is because it stores energy in the form of molecules rather of converting it into electricity, hence eliminating all losses. The researchers were able to demonstrate its use by boiling a small amount of water with the heat energy generated.
This project was led by associate professor Grace Han and doctoral researcher Han Nguyen, who investigated the molecule using computer modeling by Ken Houk at UCLA. The researchers were able to design the molecule in such a way that it remains liquid at normal temperature, which is a significant advantage because it eliminates the need for extra solvents that would dilute the energy density. This is a significant improvement over past attempts at molecular solar-thermal systems, which frequently required solvents and were less stable than this molecule.
The potential applications are exciting, especially for individuals who require heat but do not wish to deal with electricity storage. This fluid can be pumped through solar panels on your roof throughout the day and stored in a tank until it is required. All you have to do is run it through a basic reactor to extract the heat, which is ideal for hot water, space heating, or even cooking in some off-grid settings. Because it can be stored for months, you could charge it in the summer and then use it to heat your home in the winter. Pairing it with thermoelectric materials or small turbines might allow you to generate electricity from the heat, but the goal is to remove the heat.
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