The Sun is a huge source of energy. In just one hour, planet Earth is hit by so much sunshine that humankind could cover its energy needs for an entire year if only we knew how to harvest and save it.
But storing sunshine is not trivial. Now a student at Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen has researched his way to a breakthrough which may prove pivotal for technologies trying to capture the energy of the sun, and saving it for a rainy day.
Solar energy breakthrough in European top journal
Anders Bo Skov has recently started studying for his Master’s degree in chemistry at University of Copenhagen. Together with his supervisor, Mogens Brøndsted Nielsen, he is publishing the paper ”Towards Solar Energy Storage in the Photochromic Dihydroazulene-Vinylheptafulvene System” in the journal “Chemistry – A European Journal”.
Efficient solar storage blocked by apparant law of nature
Professor Brøndsted is in charge of “Center for Exploitation of Solar Energy” at University of Copenhagen. Here his team is attempting to develop molecules capable of harvesting and holding substantial amounts of solar energy, storing it for significant amounts of time, and releasing it on demand. Regrettably, a year of research had them butting their heads against what looked like an irksome law of nature. As the capacity of the molecules to hold energy seemed to improve, the capacity to store it over time dropped; and vice versa.
“Anders’ achievement was to double the energy density in a molecule that can hold its shape for a hundred years. Our only problem now is how we get it to release the energy again!
Mogens Brøndsted Nielsen, Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen
Doubled capacity- Multiplied time
The group is working with molecules known as the Dihydroazulene-Vinylheptafulvene system. Put very simply, this stores energy by changing shape, but every time the Brøndsted group managed to design improved molecules, the molecules lost some of their ability to hold their “energy storage” shape, says professor Brøndsted.
“Regardless of what we did to prevent it, the molecules would change their shape back and release the stored energy after just an hour or two. Anders’ achievement was that he managed to double the energy density in a molecule that can hold its shape for a hundred years. Our only problem now is how we get it to release the energy again. The molecule does not seem to want to change its shape back again“, grins Mogens Brøndsted.
Success in the nick of time
During his Bachelor studies Anders Bo Skov had four months to improve Brøndsted’s unstable molecule for his bachelor project. And he made it in the nick of time. Chemistry is a lot like baking. No bread is likely to come out of the oven if, for example, the flour disappears while the dough is proving. Using that analogy, Skov’s “bread” persisted in disappearing between his very hands. The molecules he was working with were that unstable.
“My chemical “recipe” demanded four synthesis steps in order to work. The first three were a piece of cake. I had them working in just a month. Getting the last step in order took me three months”, explains Skov.
When theory meets reality and reality wins
Regardless of method, when you store energy, there is a theoretical limit to the energy density… And then there is reality. In theory, a kilogram of the right molecules could store a megajoule of energy if they were perfectly designed. With that amount of energy you can heat three liters of water from room temperature to boiling.
A kilo of Skov’s molecules can boil only 75 centiliters but it does that in just three minutes. This means that his molecules could bring 15 liters of water to boil per hour, and Skov as well as his supervisor are convinced that this is just the beginning.
“What Anders has achieved is an important breakthrough. Admittedly we do not have a good method to release the energy on demand, and we should increase the energy density further still. But now we know which path to take in order to succeed”, says a visibly enthusiastic professor Mogens Brøndsted.
Solar batteries might make nice cup of tea
Skov too is excited: Mostly because his molecules are sustainable on more levels than just the obvious one. Not only do they harvest sustainable solar energy. They are also completely non-toxic, he relates.
Read more: Chemistry student in sun harvest breakthrough
The Latest on: Energy harvesting
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Energy harvesting” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Energy harvesting
- Exploiting disorder to harvest heat energy: The potentialities of 2D magnets for thermoelectric applicationson April 30, 2024 at 9:20 am
Thermoelectric systems are a green and sustainable way to harvest energy from any form of heat that otherwise would be wasted. At the core of this energy conversion process is the so-called Seebeck ...
- What’s that?…A fuel cell that harvests energy from…dirt?on April 26, 2024 at 7:10 am
A soil microbial fuel cell where microbes in dirt could power applications which are literally “in the field”.
- This salt battery harvests osmotic energy where the river meets the seaon April 24, 2024 at 10:55 am
Estuaries -- where freshwater rivers meet the salty sea -- are great locations for birdwatching and kayaking. In these areas, waters containing different salt concentrations mix and may be sources of ...
- Energy Harvesting System Market Poised for Remarkable Growth, Projected to Reach USD 1317.56 Million by 2031on April 24, 2024 at 9:48 am
The Energy Harvesting System Market demonstrated a robust valuation of USD 638.86 million in 2023. It is projected to experience substantial growth, reaching USD 1317.56 million by 2031. This growth ...
- Revolutionizing Renewable Energy: Innovative Salt Battery Efficiently Harvests Osmotic Poweron April 24, 2024 at 5:00 am
A new semipermeable membrane doubles the osmotic energy output in estuaries, showing potential for sustainable power generation. Estuaries — where freshwater rivers meet the salty sea — are great ...
- Silicon Labs unveils wireless SoCs for energy harvestingon April 23, 2024 at 7:40 am
Silicon Labs introduces its first and most energy-efficient wireless SoCs for developing energy-harvesting devices.
- Silicon Labs’ latest wireless SoCs come with energy harvesting-ready capabilitieson April 23, 2024 at 2:48 am
Silicon Labs has announced the launch of the xG22E family of Wireless SoCs, the company’s first-ever family of devices that have been designed to operate within the ultra-low power envelope required ...
- Silicon Labs Streamlines Energy Harvesting Product Development for Battery-Free IoTon April 22, 2024 at 5:02 am
Silicon Labs (NASDAQ: SLAB), a leader in secure, intelligent wireless technology for a more connected world, today announced their new xG22E family of Wireless SoCs, Silicon Labs' first-ever family ...
- Silicon Labs Streamlines Energy Harvesting Product Development for Battery-Free IoTon April 21, 2024 at 5:01 pm
Silicon Labs' most energy-efficient Wireless SoC to date with energy harvesting-ready capabilities AUSTIN, Texas, April 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Silicon Labs (NASDAQ: SLAB), a leader in secure ...
- Researchers Develop Simple Way To Harvest More “Blue Energy” From Waveson April 12, 2024 at 4:46 am
As any surfer will tell you, waves pack a powerful punch. We're now making strides toward harnessing the ocean's relentless movements for energy, thanks to advancements in "blue energy" technology. In ...
via Bing News