The object
Asegun Henry developed thermal energy-storage hardware that stores electricity-derived heat in graphite and liquid tin at very high temperatures, then converts it back to electricity using thermophotovoltaics. The physical system targets long-duration grid storage without conventional electrochemical cells.
What Asegun did
Developed high-temperature thermal-storage systems that store heat in graphite and liquid tin for later conversion to electricity.
Why it matters
MIT reports Fourth Power’s sponsored research validating component durability and reliability ahead of a fully integrated 1 MWh demonstration, alongside a 2025 NSF Phase II award.
Living-status check
MIT’s March 2026 report identifies Henry as Fourth Power’s chief technologist, documents the current test programme, and quotes him on the system’s operation.