The material has been designed to absorb sunlight, store it as heat and release it later to produce electricity. Scientists say the approach could improve energy reliability while offering a scalable and environmentally friendly alternative for future solar technologies.

Credits: Unsplash; Author: Joel & Jasmin Førestbird;

The wood-based system has also shown resistance to fire, water and bacteria, making it suitable for outdoor use. Researchers say further development could expand its applications in buildings, electronics and off-grid energy systems as renewable technologies evolve.