Improving Energy Storage with a Cue from Nature
Tuesday, June 9, 2015 - 11:00
in Physics & Chemistry
Materials melt faster when the lines of heat spread through the cold material like the branches of a tree -- and the melting rate can be steadily increased by allowing the tree architecture to freely evolve over time, researchers have discovered. The finding could help improve phase change energy storage systems, and could play an important role in ensuring a smooth flow of energy from renewable sources. The researchers report the results in the Journal of Applied Physics.