Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
13:29
Harvesting Solar Energy by Means of Charge-Separating Nanocrystals and Their Solids
Published on: August 23, 2012
14.1K
Fish-inspired dynamic charging for ultrafast self-protective solar-thermal energy storage.
Xiaoxiang Li1, Jingyi Zhang1, Yizhe Liu1
1State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Science Advances
|December 4, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a bioinspired solar-thermal energy storage (STES) system using phase change materials (PCMs). The novel foam charger enables ultrafast charging and automatic overheating protection, enhancing renewable energy utilization.
Area of Science:
- Renewable Energy Engineering
- Materials Science
- Bioinspired Design
Background:
- Solar-thermal energy storage (STES) is crucial for managing renewable energy intermittency.
- Current STES systems face challenges like slow charging, reduced capacity, and overheating.
- Phase change materials (PCMs) are key components in STES but require efficient charging strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, rapid, and safe solar-thermal energy storage strategy inspired by fish thermoregulation.
- To address limitations of existing STES systems, including charging speed, capacity, and overheating.
- To create a versatile STES system adaptable to various PCMs for efficient renewable thermal energy utilization.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a liquid-infused solar-absorbing foam charger.
- Utilizing bioinspired dynamic charging to advance the solid-liquid interface in PCMs.
- Implementing a self-floating mechanism for automatic overheating protection.
Main Results:
- Achieved quick-responsive and ultrafast charging rates for STES.
- Demonstrated large-capacity energy storage with enhanced latent heat capture.
- Successfully implemented an overheating-protective mechanism through spontaneous upward flotation.
Conclusions:
- The bioinspired dynamic charging strategy significantly improves STES performance.
- The developed system offers a safe, efficient, and adaptable solution for renewable thermal energy storage.
- This approach unlocks the potential for widespread adoption of solar-thermal energy.
More Related Videos
09:49A Protocol for Electrochemical Evaluations and State of Charge Diagnostics of a Symmetric Organic Redox Flow Battery
Published on: February 13, 2017
10.4K
10:21Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
Published on: October 5, 2019
8.3K
Related Concept Videos
01:10Energy Stored in Capacitors
435
A parallel plate capacitor, when connected to a battery, develops a potential difference across its plates. This potential difference is key to the operation of the capacitor, as it determines how much electrical energy the capacitor can store.
By integrating the equation that relates voltage and current in a capacitor, one can derive an equation for the voltage across the capacitor at any given time. This equation is crucial in understanding and predicting the behavior of capacitors in...
By integrating the equation that relates voltage and current in a capacitor, one can derive an equation for the voltage across the capacitor at any given time. This equation is crucial in understanding and predicting the behavior of capacitors in...
435
01:12Energy Stored in a Capacitor
3.6K
When an archer pulls the string in a bow, he saves the work done in the form of elastic potential energy. When he releases the string, the potential energy is released as kinetic energy of the arrow. A capacitor works on the same principle in which the work done is saved as electric potential energy. The potential energy (UC) could be calculated by measuring the work done (W) to charge the capacitor.
3.6K
01:15Charging Conductors By Induction
7.6K
The Earth is a good conductor of electricity, and it is so big that it can be considered an infinite source or sink of charges. It can easily exchange charges with any matter.
Generally, conductors like metals do not allow any excess charge to be present on them. Any excess charge added to metals easily flows away, for example, when a metal is placed on the Earth. This process is called earthing.
However, conductors can be charged by a process called induction. For example, consider charging a...
Generally, conductors like metals do not allow any excess charge to be present on them. Any excess charge added to metals easily flows away, for example, when a metal is placed on the Earth. This process is called earthing.
However, conductors can be charged by a process called induction. For example, consider charging a...
7.6K
01:26Energy Stored in a Capacitor: Problem Solving
1.0K
In 1749, Benjamin Franklin coined the word battery for a series of capacitors connected to store energy. Capacitors store electric potential energy that can be released over a short time. This property means capacitors have a wide range of applications.
Capacitor-discharge ignition is a type of ignition system commonly found in small engines where the energy released from a capacitor ignites an induction coil that, in turn, fires the spark plug.
To calculate the energy stored in a capacitor of...
Capacitor-discharge ignition is a type of ignition system commonly found in small engines where the energy released from a capacitor ignites an induction coil that, in turn, fires the spark plug.
To calculate the energy stored in a capacitor of...
1.0K
01:16Energy Stored in Inductors
318
An inductor is ingeniously crafted to accumulate energy within its magnetic field. This field is a direct result of the current that meanders through its coiled structure. When this current maintains a steady state, there is no detectable voltage across the inductor, prompting it to mimic the behavior of a short circuit when faced with direct current.
In terms of gauging the energy stored within an inductor, it is equivalent to the integral of the power delivered at every individual moment, all...
In terms of gauging the energy stored within an inductor, it is equivalent to the integral of the power delivered at every individual moment, all...
318
02:47Voltaic/Galvanic Cells
56.8K
Spontaneous Chemical Reactions
Spontaneous redox reactions occur abundantly in nature. The chemical reaction occurring in a disposable AA battery powering our remote controls is one such example of a spontaneous redox reaction. Another example is the immersion of coiled copper wire into an aqueous silver nitrate solution. The reaction shows a gradual, visually impressive color change from colorless to bright blue and the formation of a grey precipitate on the copper wire. In this experiment,...
Spontaneous redox reactions occur abundantly in nature. The chemical reaction occurring in a disposable AA battery powering our remote controls is one such example of a spontaneous redox reaction. Another example is the immersion of coiled copper wire into an aqueous silver nitrate solution. The reaction shows a gradual, visually impressive color change from colorless to bright blue and the formation of a grey precipitate on the copper wire. In this experiment,...
56.8K