Smart Walls Keep House Comfy

Phase change materials that regulate temperature are everywhere — in gloves, in coats, even in coffee mugs. These little waxy particles are engineered to keep items cool or warm at specific temperatures, depending on the need.

And despite their impressive capabilities and widespread use in everyday products, they have yet to make it into construction. Imagine the energy savings that could be achieved if walls could absorb the sun’s heat, so that a building’s temperature stayed cool, or vice versa.

Effectively incorporating phase change materials into buildings has been tough, though, because for a long time it was simply too flammable. But a new process promises to transform this changeable material.

Analysis by Alyssa Danigelis

Full Story: http://news.discovery.com/tech/smart-walls-keep-house-comfy.html