Guwahati, April 7: In a country facing rising heat, the answer may not lie in stronger air conditioners, but in the walls themselves. Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have developed energy-efficient bricks that help keep buildings naturally cool.
The innovation uses Phase Change Materials (PCMs) that absorb heat during the day and release it later, maintaining a more stable indoor temperature. These materials are embedded into Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) bricks, widely used in construction, with biochar added to stabilise the system.
Early results show these bricks can reduce indoor temperatures by about 2 to 3 degrees Celsius and cut cooling energy use by up to 20 percent. In Indian summers, that difference can significantly reduce dependence on air conditioning.
The bigger shift lies in approach. Instead of cooling indoor spaces after they heat up, these bricks reduce the heat entering the building in the first place. That makes it a construction solution, not just a technological add-on.
For builders, the transition is practical since AAC bricks are already common. While the cost is slightly higher, energy savings could offset it within a few years.
As cities get hotter and more crowded, such innovations could reshape how India builds, focusing not just on creating spaces, but on keeping them livable.
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