Oxygen-Respiratory Crystal Could Allow Higher Electronics

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A group of scientists from Korea and Japan has found a brand new kind of crystal that may “breathe”—releasing and absorbing oxygen repeatedly at comparatively low temperatures. This distinctive skill might remodel the best way we develop clear power applied sciences, together with gas cells, energy-saving home windows, and good thermal units.

The newly developed materials is a particular form of metallic oxide manufactured from strontium, iron, and cobalt. What makes it extraordinary is that it may well launch oxygen when heated in a easy fuel atmosphere after which take it again in, all with out falling aside. This course of could be repeated many occasions, making it best for real-world purposes.

This outstanding examine has been led by Professor Hyoungjeen Jeen from the Department of Physics, Pusan National University, Korea, and co-authored by Professor Hiromichi Ohta from the Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Japan. Their findings have been printed within the journal Nature Communications on August 15, 2025.

“It is like giving the crystal lungs and it can inhale and exhale oxygen on command,” says Prof. Jeen. Controlling oxygen in supplies is essential for applied sciences like strong oxide gas cells, which produce electrical energy from hydrogen with minimal emissions. It additionally performs a job in thermal transistors—units that may direct warmth like electrical switches—and in good home windows that alter their warmth movement relying on the climate.

Until now, most supplies that might do this sort of oxygen management had been too fragile or operated solely on the harsh situations like extraordinarily excessive temperatures. This new materials works underneath milder situations and stays steady.

“This finding is striking in two ways: only cobalt ions are reduced, and the process leads to the formation of an entirely new but stable crystal structure,” explains Prof. Jeen.

They additionally confirmed that the fabric might return to its authentic type when oxygen was reintroduced, proving that the method is absolutely reversible. “This is a major step towards the realization of smart materials that can adjust themselves in real time,” says Prof. Ohta. “The potential applications range from clean energy to electronics and even eco-friendly building materials.”

Reference: Lee J, Seo YS, Pitike KC, et al. Selective discount in epitaxial SrFe_0.5Co_0.5O_2.5 and its reversibility. Nat Commun. 2025;16(1):7391. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-62612-1

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