articleScienceFeb 12, 2026Closed access

Molecular solar thermal energy storage in Dewar pyrimidone beyond 1.6 megajoules per kilogram

HPHan P. Q. NguyenAJAlexander J. MaertensBABenjamin A. BakerNMNathan M.-W. WuZYZihao Ye

University of California, Santa Barbara · Brandeis University · +1 more institution

PubMed
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Abstract

Storing sunlight in a compact and rechargeable form remains a central challenge for solar energy utilization. Molecular solar thermal (MOST) energy storage systems, which harness photon energy and release it as heat on demand, provide a direct approach but have long failed to meet practical benchmarks. Inspired by the architecture of DNA, we report a pyrimidone-based MOST system that stores energy in the strained Dewar photoisomer upon excitation at 300 nanometers. Designed with sustainability in mind, the system operates solvent free and remains compatible with aqueous environments while overcoming one of the field's greatest hurdles-the controlled extraction and transfer of stored heat. When catalyzed by…

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6
total citations
FWCI
52.51
Percentile
100%
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133
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Authors

12
  • HP
    Han P. Q. NguyenCorresponding

    University of California, Santa Barbara, Brandeis University

  • AJ
    Alexander J. Maertens

    University of California, Los Angeles

  • BA
    Benjamin A. Baker

    University of California, Santa Barbara, Brandeis University

  • NM
    Nathan M.-W. Wu

    Brandeis University

  • ZY
    Zihao Ye

    University of California, Los Angeles

Topics & keywords

Topics
Keywords
  • Thermal energy storage
  • Solar energy
  • Thermal energy
  • Energy storage
  • Thermal
  • Energy (signal processing)
  • Heat transfer
  • Chemical energy
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