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Researchers at Yonsei University in South Korea created a composite material that stores and releases heat using paraffin by combining spruce wood biochar with montmorillonite clay and liquid hexadecane. The new composite, EMBC16, showed a 223% increase in energy storage capacity and improved thermal conductivity by 78%.

Simulations indicated a 54% reduction in annual cooling energy consumption for buildings using EMBC16 compared to bulk paraffin. The researchers aim to enhance sustainability by replacing synthetic surfactants with bio-based alternatives for production.