Microcapsules to combat climate change – intelligent construction materials boost energy efficiency and comfort

One of the disadvantages of the large-scale glass façades used in modern architecture is that they cause indoor temperatures to rise sharply in the summer. Air-conditioning already devours 15 percent of the total energy consumed in Europe. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE teamed up with BASF to develop an environmentally-friendly alternative to air-conditioning systems. The team of researchers was nominated for the German Future Prize for their innovation comprising a microencapsulated latent heat storage material for construction materials.

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