---
title: Microscopy Reveals Role for Water in Energy Storage Material
description: Researchers at North Carolina State University have used a new method of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to uncover how the layers of water in crystalline tungsten oxide dihydrate contribute to the material’s greater efficiency for storing energy than crystalline tungsten oxide.
---

[Fluid Systems Engineering & Management Blog | Swagelok NorCal ](https://northerncal.swagelok.com/blog)

# [Microscopy Reveals Role for Water in Energy Storage Material](https://northerncal.swagelok.com/blog/microscopy-reveals-role-for-water-in-energy-storage-material)

 Written by [Jeff Hopkins](https://northerncal.swagelok.com/blog/author/jeff-hopkins) | 8/2/18 7:45 PM

### A material with atomically thin layers of water holds promise for energy storage technologies

Researchers at North Carolina State University have used a new method of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to uncover how the layers of water in crystalline tungsten oxide dihydrate contribute to the material's greater efficiency for storing energy than crystalline tungsten oxide.

The water layers both minimize deformation of the material, and allow the material to return to its original dimensions more easily. Crystalline tungsten oxide dihydrate holds promise for energy storage technologies—and now we know why.

[See the North Carolina State University news release in Science Daily →](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180524112309.htm)

 

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