Solar energy can be stored in a chip for up to 18 years: a study led by Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden) could make the energy of our star become on demand, opening the doors to new scenarios for photovoltaics
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himA chip can store solar energy for up to 18 years, making it available when needed. The future of photovoltaics is on demand. A study led by Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden) can truly open the door to energy independence.
The research team had already shown how energy could be extracted in the form of heat, but now they have tested the possibility of producing electricity by connecting the chip to a thermoelectric generator. The work could lead toself-charging of electronics using solar energy stored on demand.
This is a radically new way of generating electricity from solar energy - announces Kasper Moth-Poulsen, who led the work - It means that we can use solar energy to produce electricity regardless of weather, time of day, season or geographic location. It is a closed system that can work without causing carbon dioxide emissions
The new technology is based on the MOST solar energy system - Molecular Solar Thermal Energy Storage Systems, which is a specially designed molecule that changes structure when it comes into contact with sunlight due to the interaction between photons and chemical bonds.
The chemical compound, in particular, made of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen, becomes another isomer when light hits it, that is, it transforms into another that has the same atoms in the same quantity but arranged differently.
This different molecule can be stored in liquid form for later use when needed, such as at night or in winter, and the system can now store energy for up to 18 years. A specially designed catalyst releases it in the form of heat returning the molecule to its original shape, so it can be reused in the heating system.
@Cell Reports Physical Science
Therefore now, with a thermoelectric generator as thick as a micrometer, the energy system can also generate electricity to order.
The generator is a ultra-thin chip which could be integrated into electronic devices such as headphones, smartwatches and phones - explains Zhihang Wang, co-author of the research - So far we have only generated small amounts of electricity, but the new results show that the system really works. It looks very promising
There is still a lot of research and development on this but it is a way forward that can lead us to energy independence and the progressive abandonment of fossil sources. In fact, the group is already working for the future.
Together with the various research groups included in the project, we are now working to rationalize the system again explains Moth-Poulsen - The amount of electricity or heat it can extract needs to be increased. Even if the energy system is based on simple basic materials, it must be adapted to be cost-effective enough to produce and thus a larger launch possible.
The work was published in Cell Reports Physical Science.
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Sources: Chalmers University of Technology / Cell Reports Physical Science
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