Tuesday, January 17, 2012
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The University of Washington's new Molecular Engineering and Sciences Building will incorporate phase-change materials. Design: Zimmer Gunsul Frasca
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The new Molecular Engineering and Sciences Building at the University of Washington-Seattle could be a harbinger of innovative energy-saving technology incorporating phase-change materials—in this case, a gel that becomes warm and liquid during the day and solidifies at night. Encapsulated in walls and ceiling panels, the gel is predicted to reduce cooling needs by as much as 98%. The building's "bioPCM" is based on vegetable oils and will be "charged" at night when windows to office spaces are automatically opened to provide a flush of cool air. The insulating properties bear some similarities to those of adobe or thick concrete, but phase-change materials require only a fraction of the amount of mass. Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects is the designer for the two-phase, 250,000-ft2 project; phase one will be completed this year. http://bit.ly/yKY6Fr
