ARCI develops low-cost nanocomposite material that boosts thermal battery storage by up to 45%
Scientists at ARCI, a DST institution, have developed a spinel nanocomposite phase change material whose specific heat capacity rises by up to 45% with just 1% nanoparticles, the Science Ministry said on 22 May 2026.
Summary
The International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology, has developed a cost-effective, scalable process to make a spinel nanocomposite Phase Change Material (PCM) for thermal energy storage, the Science Ministry said on 22 May 2026. The team led by Dr Mani Karthik used a simple co-precipitation method to make spinel-type metal oxide nanoparticles. Adding only 1% of these nanoparticles raised the PCM's specific heat capacity by as much as 45%. The material can improve thermal batteries used in concentrated solar power plants and industrial waste-heat recovery.
Key facts
- Institution
- ARCI (autonomous institution of DST)
- Team lead
- Dr Mani Karthik
- Material
- Spinel nanocomposite Phase Change Material (PCM)
- Method
- Co-precipitation
- Result
- 1% nanoparticles → up to 45% higher specific heat capacity
- Uses
- Thermal batteries for concentrated solar power and industrial waste-heat recovery
Practice MCQs 2 questions
By how much did adding just 1% spinel oxide nanoparticles raise the specific heat capacity of the phase change material developed by ARCI (May 2026)?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Up to 45%
The nanocomposite PCM showed an increase in specific heat capacity as high as 45% compared with PCM without nanoparticles.
The International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), which developed a new thermal battery material in May 2026, is an autonomous institution under:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Department of Science and Technology
PIB describes ARCI as an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).