A composite substance has been introduced by researchers from South Korea that boasts the potential to slash annual building cooling energy consumption by 54% and the overall cooling demand by 24%. This material, termed EMBC16, functions akin to a thermal battery, absorbing excess heat during the day and releasing it when temperatures decline, thereby mitigating interior temperature fluctuations throughout the day.
The foundation of this material, developed by scientists at Yonsei University, relies on phase-change material technology: substances that store energy upon melting and liberate it during solidification. However, instead of utilizing costly fossil fuel-derived elements like graphene, the team engineered a “bio-mineral” framework. They combined biochar, derived from spruce wood waste, with montmorillonite mineral clay, which underwent surfactant treatment to maximize its surface area. This porous framework was subsequently impregnated with paraffin (hexadecane), which serves as the active heat-storing ingredient.
The material’s efficiency substantially surpasses that of current clay-based alternatives, according to IE reports. Its specific heat capacity measures 121.3 Joules per gram, marking a 223% increase compared to standard clay composites, while its thermal conductivity is enhanced by 78%. During rigorous stress testing, the material withstood 1,000 heating and cooling cycles, retaining nearly 96% of its original capacity, indicating excellent long-term durability.
To quantify the material’s practical impact, the team employed building energy simulation software. Tests revealed that when EMBC16 was used as interior finishing in a historic Seoul structure, its walls managed thermal swings far more effectively than conventional construction methods. The composite facilitates a 54% reduction in yearly building cooling energy use and a 24.3% decrease in total cooling requirements.
The creators of this innovation state that the material’s porous structure and carefully tailored surface chemistry were key to achieving an optimal balance between heat storage and heat flow—a critical factor for leveling out daily temperature variations.
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