Do not laugh it looks serious, would it be a revolution if it really works?
https://www.popscience.fr/des-scientifi ... u-a-18-ansSwedish scientists have developed a specialized fluid, called solar thermal fuel, capable of storing solar energy for more than ten years.
"A solar thermal fuel is like a rechargeable battery, but instead of electricity, you bring in sunlight and out heat, triggered on demand," says Jeffrey Grossman, an engineer who works with these materials explained. at NBC News.
Fluid is a molecule in liquid form Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have been improving for over a year.
This molecule is composed of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen, and when it is struck by sunlight, it has an unusual effect: the bonds between its atoms are rearranged and it turns into an energized new version of it. same, called an isomer.
Like prey trapped in a trap, the sun's energy is captured between the strong chemical bonds of the isomer and stays there even when the molecule cools to room temperature.
When energy is needed - for example at night or in winter - the fluid is simply drawn through a catalyst that brings the molecule back to its original form, releasing energy in the form of heat.
"The energy in this isomer can now be stored for up to 18 years," says Kasper Moth-Poulsen, a nanomaterials scientist at Chalmers University, is part of the team.
The emission-free renewable energy device consists of a concave reflector with a pipe in the center, which follows the sun as a kind of satellite dish.
The system operates in a circular fashion. By pumping through transparent tubes, the fluid is heated by sunlight, transforming the norbornadiene molecule into its heat-trapping isomer, the quadricyclane. The fluid is then stored at room temperature with minimal energy loss.
When energy is needed, the fluid is filtered through a special catalyst that reconverts the molecules back to their original form, warming the liquid to 63 ° C.
The researchers subjected the fluid to this cycle more than 125 times, capturing heat and dropping it without damaging the molecule.
"We have made many crucial advances recently and today we have a zero emissions energy system that operates year round," says Moth-Poulsen.
After a series of rapid developments, researchers say their fluid can now hold 250 watt hours of energy per kilogram, which doubles the energy capacity of Tesla's Powerwall batteries, according to NBC.
But there is still a lot to do. With the right manipulations, the researchers think they can get even more heat from this system, at least 110 ° C more.
“There is still a lot to do. We just got the system up and running. Now we need to make sure everything is optimally designed,” says Moth-Poulsen.
If everything goes as planned, Moth-Poulsen thinks the technology might be available for commercial use in 10 years ago.
In 10 years it may be too late.