Long-term heat-storage ceramics absorbing thermal energy from hot water

In thermal and nuclear power plants, 70% of the generated thermal energy is lost as waste heat. The temperature of the waste heat is below the boiling temperature of water. Here, we show a long-term heat-storage material that absorbs heat energy at warm temperatures from 38°C (311 K) to 67°C (340 K). This unique series of material is composed of scandium-substituted lambda-trititanium-pentoxide (λ-Sc(x)Ti(3−x)O(5)). λ-Sc(x)Ti(3−x)O(5) not only accumulates heat energy from hot water but also could release the accumulated heat energy by the application of pressure. λ-Sc(x)Ti(3−x)O(5) has the potential to accumulate heat energy of hot water generated in thermal and nuclear power plants and to recycle the accumulated heat energy on demand by applying external pressure. Furthermore, it may be used to recycle waste heat in industrial factories and automobiles.