Advanced Thermal Energy Storage Material

In May 2026, scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) developed a high-performance thermal energy storage material to improve the efficiency of thermal batteries used in solar power plants and industrial waste heat recovery systems.

Key Points

New Material Developed: Researchers created a spinel nano-composite Phase Change Material (PCM) with enhanced heat storage capability.
Scientific Method: The material was produced using a simple and cost-effective co-precipitation process.
Performance Improvement: Adding 1 per cent spinel oxide nanoparticles increased the material’s heat storage capacity by up to 45 per cent.
Thermal Advantage: The nanoparticles improved thermal conductivity, stability, and surface energy of the material.
Practical Benefits: Improved efficiency can reduce the size of thermal storage tanks and lower operational and construction costs.
Potential Applications: The technology can support concentrated solar power plants and industrial waste heat recovery systems.