Molecular solar thermal energy storage in Dewar pyrimidone beyond 1.6 MJ/kg

Nguyen, H.P.Q.; Maertens, A.J.; Baker, B.A.; Wu, N.M.-W.; Ye, Z.; Zhou, Q.; Qiu, Q.; Kaur, N.; Berkinsky, D.B.; Shulenberger, K.E.; Houk, K.N.; Han, G.G.D.; Nguyen, H.P.Q; Maertens, A.J; Baker, B.A; Wu, N.M.-W; Ye, Z; Zhou, Q; Qiu, Q; Kaur, N; Berkinsky, D.B; Shulenberger, K.E; Houk, K.N; Han, G.G.D

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Molecular solar thermal energy storage in Dewar pyrimidone beyond 1.6 MJ/kg

Nguyen, H.P.Q.; Maertens, A.J.; Baker, B.A.; Wu, N.M.-W.; Ye, Z.; Zhou, Q.; Qiu, Q.; Kaur, N.; Berkinsky, D.B.; Shulenberger, K.E.; Houk, K.N.; Han, G.G.D.

Science 2026: Eaec 6413

2026

ISSN/ISBN: 1095-9203

PMID: 41678586

Accession: 103449161

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Summary

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 nm. 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 acid, the Dewar isomer releases enough heat to boil water (~0.5 mL). These advances help point the way toward decentralized solar heat storage and off-grid energy solutions.