First it was sticks and stones, then bricks and mortar. Now novel materials are transforming how buildings look, feel and use energy
New homes and offices are often built with lightweight timber or steel frames. The problem is that they can get very warm during the summer and chilly in the winter. Such fluctuating temperatures occur because of the low thermal mass of these materials — they have a much lower ability to absorb and release heat than traditional stone or concrete. However, new technology based on phase-change materials is set to change all that.
Any material that melts or solidifies undergoes what is known as a phase change. Think of the wax of a candle: when it is heated it