IIT Guwahati Researchers Develop Energy-Efficient Bricks for Sustainable Buildings

A team at IIT-Guwahati has created energy-efficient bricks that naturally cool buildings, possibly cutting down on AC use. The work by Bitupan Das, Urbashi Bordoloi, Pushpendra Singh, and Pankaj Kalita was published in the journal of energy Storage. It seems like a practical step for places where heat builds up fast.

Modern buildings depend on air conditioning to stay comfortable in summer. That system uses a lot of electricity and adds to emissions. How can we keep interiors cool without relying on that? The researchers focused on changing how heat moves through walls and roofs.

The bricks contain Phase Change Materials, like wax, that soak up heat when they melt and give it back when they harden. By day, the materials take in excess warmth, reducing indoor temperature. At night, they slowly release it when things cool down. Among the tested options, OM35 stands out because it melts at 35C - perfect for areas between 28C and 38C (that's hot and sticky in many regions).

To prevent PCMs from leaking during melting, the team mixed them with biochar - a carbon-rich material that holds everything together. This composite keeps the PCM locked in. Plus, it boosts heat transfer. The resulting bricks stay shaped, hold up under pressure, and work well in hot, wet environments. They're built for climate-sensitive construction, smart, responsive, and practical.

Prof. Kalita pointed out that these PCM-filled bricks outperform standard ones in managing temperature. They soak up daytime heat and slowly release it at night - cutting down on AC use dramatically. How much energy could be saved if every building used this system?

Still, getting these bricks into real-world use is tough. High upfront prices, hard-to-scale production, no industry standards, little builder knowledge, and few working examples stand in the way. The IIT-G team says success needs lower costs, field tests to prove what works, official certifications, partnerships with builders, supportive policies, and awareness campaigns to push adoption. If development continues and the industry gets involved, these energy-efficient bricks might just become standard in hot-humid areas.