Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Programmable Materials have developed a programmable
The developed material isfoam construction with unusual properties. The principle of its operation is that when the sun is shining and it is very hot, the foam plastic elements expand, thereby hermetically closing the ventilation slots between the wall of the building and the cladding. As a result, indoor temperatures remain cool.
Various concepts for the use of foam for insulation. Image: Fraunhofer IAP, IBP and ICT
At night, the foam, on the contrary, shrinks and opensvents, allowing fresh air to circulate behind the cladding and effectively cool the home. During the manufacturing process, scientists can tune how the foam changes shape and at what temperature. In addition, unlike classic shape memory foams, the new material can change shape repeatedly, opening and closing pores over and over again.
The researchers note that this developmentsuitable not only for residential buildings. By combining various elements, you can control the temperature regime in production. To do this, it is enough to use a similar insulation foam, controlled temperature pipes that dissipate heat when the temperature rises above a set temperature, and a programmable material that is able to store heat when it is too hot and release it when the temperature drops below a set one.
Researchers note that new materialsbig potential. Only when used in conventional residential buildings, thermal insulation can save up to 40% of the energy used to cool homes. If combined with elements that store and return heat, it will also help to eliminate part of the heating in the future, they believe.
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