{"id":27318,"date":"2025-07-16T19:04:50","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T19:04:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=27318"},"modified":"2025-07-16T19:04:52","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T19:04:52","slug":"researchers-innovate-energy-efficient-building-materials-inspired-by-elephant-ears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/researchers-innovate-energy-efficient-building-materials-inspired-by-elephant-ears\/","title":{"rendered":"Researchers Innovate Energy-Efficient Building Materials Inspired by Elephant Ears"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">Drexel University engineers have developed novel cement-based materials incorporating phase-change technology to improve building energy efficiency, inspired by the natural temperature regulation found in elephant ears.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b0ffac9c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Researchers at Drexel University have introduced groundbreaking cement-based building materials designed to enhance energy efficiency through innovative passive heating and cooling mechanisms. This breakthrough, inspired by the naturally effective temperature regulation systems observed in elephant and jackrabbit ears, could revolutionize building design by embedding a vascular network within walls, floors and ceilings, significantly reducing energy consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The research, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2352710225011155\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in the Journal of Building Engineering, showcases a new method devised by Drexel\u2019s Advance Infrastructure Materials (AIM) Lab. It involves integrating paraffin-based phase-change materials (PCMs) into a printed polymer matrix within cement surfaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PCMs have the unique ability to absorb and release thermal energy as they transition between liquid and solid states, effectively regulating surface temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Architecturally, it looks nice to have a lot of window area on a building, but this also results in diminished insulation properties,&#8221; co-author Rhythm Osan, an undergraduate student in Drexel\u2019s College of Engineering, said in a news release. \u201cIn an ideal world, a building wouldn\u2019t lose any heat, but from a realistic constructability standpoint, issues like thermal bridging, air leakage from ducts, material performance and joint detailing will always pose some heat loss.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The team&#8217;s innovative approach aims to counterbalance the substantial energy demand of buildings, which account for nearly 40% of all energy use globally, with about half of that energy spent on maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notably, surfaces such as walls, windows and ceilings are responsible for approximately 63% of energy loss in buildings, making the Drexel team&#8217;s solution potentially transformative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Look at the way our circulatory system is used to regulate temperature. When it\u2019s hot out, blood runs to the surface &#8212; we might get a little red in the face and begin to sweat through our glands and this cools us down through a phase-change process &#8212; sweat evaporation,\u201d added Amir Farnam, an associate professor in Drexel\u2019s College of Engineering who led the research. \u201cThis is a very effective, natural process that we wanted to replicate in building materials.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The study tested various vascular channel configurations and thicknesses to determine the optimal design for mechanical strength and thermal performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The diamond-shaped grid channel architecture emerged as the most effective, offering both structural integrity and superior temperature regulation, slowing surface heating and cooling to 1-1.25 degrees Celsius per hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;We found, perhaps not surprisingly, that more vasculature surface area equates to better thermal performance. This observation is similar to physiology of elephant and jackrabbit ears, which contain extensive areas of vasculature to help regulate their body temperature,&#8221; added co-author Robin Deb, a research scientist in the AIM Lab. &#8220;We believe that our vascular materials could play a similar role in a building by helping to offset temperature shifts and reduce energy demand from HVAC to maintain thermal comfort.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While this study served as proof of concept, the team\u2019s promising results pave the way for further exploration. Future research will involve testing different PCMs, channel patterns and larger material samples over more extended periods and varied environmental conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhile this study was intended to show a proof of concept, these results are promising and something we can build on,\u201d Farnam added. \u201cThis shows both the effectiveness of this method for regulating surface temperature in cementitious materials, as well as a simple and cost-effective method for producing them. With additional testing and scaling, we believe this has the potential to make a significant contribution to the many ongoing efforts to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This innovation holds the promise of making building structures more self-sufficient in temperature control, reducing reliance on external energy sources, and significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/drexel.edu\/news\/archive\/2025\/July\/vascular-building-materials\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Drexel University<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Researchers at Drexel University have introduced groundbreaking cement-based building materials designed to enhance energy efficiency through innovative passive heating and cooling mechanisms. This breakthrough, inspired by the naturally effective temperature regulation systems observed in elephant and jackrabbit ears, could revolutionize building design by embedding a vascular network within walls, floors and ceilings, significantly reducing energy [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[51],"class_list":["post-27318","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sustainability","tag-drexel-university"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Researchers at Drexel University have introduced groundbreaking cement-based building materials designed to enhance energy efficiency through innovative passive heating and cooling mechanisms. This breakthrough, inspired by the naturally effective temperature regulation systems observed in elephant and jackrabbit ears, could revolutionize building design by embedding a vascular network within walls, floors and ceilings, significantly reducing energy&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27318","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27318"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27318\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27334,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27318\/revisions\/27334"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}