UCSB Scientists Develop Liquid 'Solar Battery' to Harness Sunlight

Breakthrough material can capture and store solar energy as heat for on-demand use.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara have developed a novel material capable of capturing sunlight and storing it as heat, offering a potential alternative to traditional batteries and electrical grids. The breakthrough, detailed in a recent Science journal publication, centers around a modified organic molecule called pyrimidone and falls under the umbrella of Molecular Solar Thermal (MOST) energy storage.

Why it matters

This latest innovation in renewable energy storage represents a fundamental shift in how we approach capturing and utilizing solar power. Unlike traditional solar panels that convert light into electricity, this material directly transforms sunlight into chemical energy that can be released as heat on demand, opening up new possibilities for off-grid heating and water heating applications.

The details

The pyrimidone molecule, inspired by components of DNA, twists into a high-energy shape when exposed to sunlight. This strained state remains stable until triggered - by heat or a catalyst - releasing the stored energy as heat. The new molecule boasts an impressive energy density of 1.6 megajoules per kilogram, exceeding that of standard lithium-ion batteries (0.9 MJ/kg) and previous optical switches. This high density allows the material to successfully boil water under ambient conditions, a significant achievement in the field.

  • The research was detailed in a recent publication in the Science journal.

The players

Han Nguyen

Doctoral student and lead author of the study.

Grace Han

Associate Professor at UC Santa Barbara and the lead researcher behind this breakthrough, supported by a Moore Inventor Fellowship.

Ken Houk

Professor at UCLA who collaborated with the team on computational modeling to understand the molecule's stability and energy storage capabilities.

Benjamin Baker

Co-author of the study who highlights the potential for off-grid heating and residential water heating applications.

UC Santa Barbara

The university where the research was conducted.

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What they’re saying

“Think of photochromic sunglasses. They darken in the sun and clear up indoors. We're using the same reversible change, but instead of color, we're storing energy, releasing it when needed and reusing the material.”

— Han Nguyen, Doctoral student and lead author (Science)

“This capability opens doors to diverse applications. We see potential for off-grid heating, such as for camping, and residential water heating.”

— Benjamin Baker, Co-author (Science)

What’s next

Future research will likely focus on further miniaturizing the molecules and integrating them into existing infrastructure, such as solar-absorbing paint for buildings or flexible films that can be applied to various surfaces. Improving the catalysts used to trigger the release of stored energy will also be crucial to lowering the cost and increasing the practicality of the technology.

The takeaway

This breakthrough in Molecular Solar Thermal (MOST) energy storage represents a fundamental shift in how we approach capturing and utilizing solar power, offering a potential alternative to traditional batteries and electrical grids. The high energy density and ability to directly transform sunlight into heat open up new possibilities for sustainable, off-grid heating and water heating applications.