Name: Metal that breathes
Uploaded: 2012-10-25T15:00:28Z
Duration: 8 min 42 s
Description: Modern buildings with floor-to-ceiling windows give spectacular views, but they require a lot of energy to cool. Doris Kim Sung works with thermo-bimetals, smart materials that act more like human skin, dynamically and responsively, and can shade a room from sun and self-ventilate.

Modern buildings with floor-to-ceiling windows give spectacular views, but they require a lot of energy to cool. Doris Kim Sung works with thermo-bimetals, smart materials that act more like human skin, dynamically and responsively, and can shade a room from sun and self-ventilate.

Metal that breathes

Modern skyscrapers with vast glass facades depend heavily on air conditioning, wasting energy and overheating cities. Inspired by the way human skin responds to heat, a new generation of building materials called thermo-bimetals can shade, ventilate, and adapt without using any power or controls. Early prototypes include 14,000 unique metal pieces that curl and move as sunlight shifts, letting buildings cool themselves naturally. This approach could eliminate the need for blinds, shutters, and even some traditional ventilation systems.