Moving bricks to store energy

Could a 'power brick' be a new energy storage device?

Researchers have transformed standard bricks into energy-storing devices, The Guardian reports, potentially adding a new function to these omnipresent construction materials. The team created these "power bricks" by utilizing the iron oxide stored in the brick that gives it a red color.

Can bricks store energy?

The red pigment in bricks— iron oxide, or rust—is essential for triggering the polymerization reaction. The researchers’ calculations suggest that walls made of these energy-storing bricks could store a substantial amount of energy. “PEDOT-coated bricks are ideal building blocks that can provide power to emergency lighting,” D’Arcy says.

Can bricks be used as energy storage devices?

Now, chemists have discovered new potential in these ubiquitous building blocks: Through a series of reactions, scientists have shown that conventional bricks can be transformed into energy storage devices powerful enough to turn on LED lights. The findings were published Tuesday in thescientific journal Nature Communications.

Can red bricks be used as energy storage?

It’s possible to convert red bricks, some of the world’s cheapest and most familiar building materials, into energy storage units that can be charged to hold electricity like a battery, a new study shows. The researchers have developed a method to make or modify “smart bricks” that can store energy until required for powering devices.

How can energy storing bricks evolve in the future?

Some of the ways that energy storing bricks can evolve in the future are: Increase the energy the bricks store using different types of conductive polymers, additives, or composites. This could improve the performance and efficiency of these bricks.

What are the best practices for energy storing bricks?

Here are some of the best practices for getting the most from energy storing bricks: Choosing the right bricks: Not all bricks are suitable as they need a porous structure and a high iron oxide content to create supercapacitors.