A wood-based material that can store and release heat could help keep building temperatures comfortable without using electricity, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a type of phase-change material that acts as a thermal battery, absorbing and releasing heat.
In 2020, about 10% of all energy used in the US went towards keeping buildings comfortable to live and work in. Integrated into building structures, such as drywall, flooring or roofing, the stored energy in phase-change materials could help reduce electricity demands for air conditioning and heating and improve overall energy efficiency.
Shuang (Cynthia) Cui, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and corresponding author of the study, said: “During the summer, for example, the phase-change material will absorb and store heat from the exterior, which would reduce the rise of room temperature.
“If the building has enough phase-change material incorporated, the air conditioning...