WHAT IS IT?
Excellent candidate for waste-heat reuse in industrial settings
WHY IMPORTANT
Scientists have found a common substance (a layered manganese oxide mineral containing potassium ions and crystal water. This mineral is quite similar in its composition to birnessite, which is commonly found on the Earth's surface). that can reversibly and rapidly store and release relatively large amounts of low-grade heat without decomposing. The research could lead to a more efficient reuse of industrial waste heat.