New Delhi, May 22: Scientists from the International Advanced Research Centre for powder Metallurgy and new materials (ARCI), an autonomous institution under the department of science and technology have developed a cost-effective and highly efficient thermal energy storage material that can significantly improve the performance of thermal batteries used in concentrated solar power plants and industrial waste heat recovery systems.
Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems are crucial for improving the efficiency of concentrated solar power technologies and for capturing excess heat generated by industries. Researchers across the world are working on advanced materials that can store more heat, transfer thermal energy efficiently, and operate across a wider temperature range.
The ARCI research team led by Dr. Mani Karthik has developed a scalable and economical process to manufacture spinel nanocomposite Phase Change Materials (PCM) with significantly enhanced thermal energy storage capability.
The scientists used a simple co-precipitation method to produce spinel-type metal oxide nanoparticles with controlled particle size. These nanoparticles showed excellent thermal stability and uniform dispersion, making them suitable for high-performance thermal energy storage applications. According to the researchers, adding just one percent of spinel oxide nanoparticles to conventional phase change material resulted in a remarkable increase of up to 45 percent in specific heat capacity compared to ordinary PCM without nanocomposites. Specific heat capacity refers to the ability of a material to store thermal energy.
The researchers explained that the nanoparticles improve thermal performance by increasing the specific surface area of the material. A stable spinel oxide layer forms at the interface, enhancing surface energy and contributing to the higher heat storage capacity of the nanocomposite material. Due to this enhancement, the material can store more thermal energy per unit mass, enabling the development of smaller and more compact thermal storage systems. This can substantially reduce the size of storage tanks, lower construction requirements, and decrease both capital and operational costs.
Scientists said the innovation could pave the way for next-generation thermal energy storage systems that are compact, efficient, and affordable. The technology is expected to benefit concentrated solar power plants and industrial waste heat recovery applications, supporting cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.
The research findings have been published in the scientific journal Materials today chemistry Researchers noted that the development aligns with India’s clean energy goals and the vision of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat by strengthening indigenous expertise in advanced energy storage technologies.
