Smart cladding could control whether buildings retain or emit heat

A new material changes its infrared colour when a small electric current is applied, raising the possibility of buildings that store or release heat depending on outside temperatures

By Madeleine Cuff

A new material could provide smart cladding for buildings that alters how much heat they absorb or emit by changing their infrared colour with the flick of a switch, similar to sunglasses that turn dark when exposed to light.

Usually, a building’s temperature is controlled using air conditioning or heating units. But this is an energy-intensive and polluting way of managing things.

Buildings are responsible for about 40 per cent of global energy consumption and 33 per cent of greenhouse …