A research team based at the University of California, Davis has recently developed a heat-sensitive mutant of the protein ferritin. This mutant has the potential to be used to efficiently store and release heat energy. The discovery could have far-reaching implications for the design of renewable energy sources and improved energy efficiency.

The team used a technique called directed evolution to cause an artificial mutation in the gene encoding ferritin. This mutation caused its structure to change when heated, allowing it to alternate between a stable, closed form and a more open form. This means that the protein can be used as a way to store and release heat energy in a cycle. This could be used to provide heat on demand, or as an energy storage system for renewable energy sources.

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source: Phys.org