Wood-based solar thermal devices, and methods for fabrication and use thereof

A solar thermal device comprising:

• a natural wood block having:
• a first surface for receiving solar radiation thereon;
• a second surface, opposite the first surface, for contacting fluid;
• and
• an internal fluidic transport network comprised of microstructures of natural wood between the first and second surfaces;
• and
• a solar absorption layer on at least the first surface of the natural wood block,
• wherein the natural wood block has cellulose-based lumen extending along a tree growth direction that is substantially parallel to at least one of the first and second surfaces,
• the internal fluidic transport network comprises spirals or pits between adjacent lumen, and
• the natural wood block pumps fluid from the second surface to the first surface by the internal fluidic transport network via capillary action and/or nano-cavitation effects.

A solar thermal device comprising:

• a carbonized block of natural wood having:
• a first surface for receiving solar radiation thereon;
• a second surface, opposite the first surface, for contacting a material to be adsorbed;
• and
• an internal fluidic transport network comprised of microstructures of the natural wood between the first and second surfaces;
• wherein all internal and external surfaces of the carbonized block have been carbonized,
• the carbonized block has a porosity greater than that of the natural wood, and
• the carbonized block is constructed to adsorb said material into the internal fluidic transport network.