A new crystal made by humans can “breathe” oxygen, and it might change the way we think about energy use. This unique material is made from strontium, iron, and cobalt. When heated, it takes in and then releases oxygen, similar to how our lungs work. Impressively, it can perform this cycle repeatedly without damage.
Professor Hyoungjeen Jeen from Pusan National University in South Korea, who helped research this, describes it as giving the crystal “lungs.” The findings were shared in a study published in Nature Communications.
Typically, natural materials can bond with oxygen, but simulating this in a lab is tough. Many materials struggle to hold up during the process or need extreme heat, which isn’t practical for widespread use. This new crystal, however, functions effectively at moderate temperatures—around 752 °F (400 °C).
“This is a big deal because it can work at higher temperatures without breaking down,” says Jeen. When oxygen is added back, the crystal goes back to its original form. This makes it a promising candidate for solid oxide fuel cells, which turn hydrogen into electricity with low emissions. These fuel cells could help electric cars go further, particularly if they perform well at lower temperatures.
Additionally, this technology could enhance smart windows, which adjust based on the weather. With buildings consuming more energy than both transportation and industry combined, smarter materials could influence climate goals greatly.
Researchers have discovered that the crystal’s transparency changes with its oxygen content: when it’s rich in oxygen, it looks darker, and when it loses oxygen, it appears clearer. This could have exciting implications for electronics like oxygen sensors and gas separation systems too.
“This marks a significant step toward creating smart materials,” says Professor Hiromichi Ohta, also part of the research team. “The potential uses extend from clean energy to eco-friendly building materials.”
As researchers continue to refine this crystal, they’re exploring different metal ratios to improve its performance and durability.
This innovation reminds us of other breakthroughs in clean tech. For example, the rise of electric vehicle batteries has led to major advancements in energy efficiency. A recent study highlights that, by 2030, millions of EVs could be on the roads, making energy-saving technologies like this crystal even more crucial.
The future looks promising as these developments could help us create a more sustainable world.
For more information on this innovative crystal, you can read the full study published here.
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breathing crystal, clean energy, fuel cells, smart windows, oxygen cycling, energy efficiency, hydrogen, climate goals, sustainable materials, advanced materials
