Ateam of scientists has created a groundbreaking material – a metal oxide composed of strontium, iron, and cobalt – that can literally “breathe” oxygen. When heated in a simple gas environment, the crystal releases oxygen and then reabsorbs it repeatedly without breaking down, a feature that could open new avenues for clean energy technologies. The study, led by professor Hyoungjeen Jeen at Pusan National University in South Korea with co-author professor Hiromichi Ohta from Hokkaido University in Japan, highlights potential applications ranging from more efficient fuel cells to smart thermal devices and energy-saving windows. Published in Nature Communications, their findings also offer a compelling glimpse of how breakthroughs in materials science could reshape the future of energy. According to Professor Hyoungjeen Jeen, the new discovery is like “giving the crystal lungs and it can inhale and exhale oxygen on command”. This ability to control oxygen in materials is key for technologies such as solid oxide fuel cells, which generate electricity from hydrogen with minimal emissions. It also enables innovations like thermal transistors – devices that can channel heat like electrical switches – and smart windows that automatically adjust heat flow depending on weather conditions, promising smarter, more energy-efficient buildings and devices. Traditionally, materials capable of controlling oxygen were either too fragile or could only operate under extreme conditions, such as very high temperatures. This made them impractical for use in everyday technologies, from energy devices to smart building materials, the study notes.

Full report : Scientists discover a new crystal that “breathes” oxygen and could enable next-gen technologies like solid oxide fuel cells and smart windows.