Microencapsulated Thermochromic Particles for Building Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Buildings consume a significant amount of energy and contribute to environmental pollution, with existing materials failing to effectively regulate surface optical properties in response to temperature and solar radiation, leading to inefficiencies in energy use and urban heat island effects.
Innovation Solution
Development of microencapsulated thermochromic particles with a metal oxide shell, such as titanium dioxide, encapsulating a thermochromic core, which changes color with temperature, providing both reflective and self-cleaning properties, and enabling photocatalytic decomposition of organic pollutants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional building materials are used, then construction is simple and cost-effective, but energy consumption is high and surface optical properties cannot be regulated in response to temperature and solar radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining thermochromic core particles with metal oxide shell materials to create coating compositions that regulate surface optical properties in response to temperature changes, thereby reducing energy consumption in buildings without requiring complex active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing materials whose optical properties (reflectivity, emissivity) dynamically change in response to temperature and solar radiation parameters, enabling automatic regulation of heat transfer through building surfaces
2Reliability
If thermochromic materials are applied to regulate surface optical properties, then energy efficiency improves, but the materials require protection from environmental degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film encapsulation using metal oxide shells that protect the thermochromic core materials from environmental degradation while maintaining their thermochromic functionality, achieving a balance between protection and performance
Solution Approach 2:
The metal oxide shell acts as an intermediary between the thermochromic core and the external environment, providing protection against moisture and chemical degradation while allowing the thermochromic effect to occur
3Object-generated harmful factors
If titanium oxide shell is used for photocatalytic decomposition, then air quality improves through oxidation of volatile organic compounds, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single coating system: thermochromic temperature regulation and photocatalytic air purification are combined in one material layer, reducing the need for separate systems and simplifying overall implementation
Solution Approach 2:
The coating composition provides multi-functionality by simultaneously offering thermochromic optical regulation and photocatalytic decomposition of pollutants, making a single material solution that addresses both energy efficiency and air quality concerns
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces energy consumption by altering surface reflectivity and emissivity with temperature, while also improving air quality by oxidizing volatile organic compounds, thus addressing both energy efficiency and environmental concerns.
Implementation Method 1
The optical properties of a thermochromic material reversibly change as the temperature changes. The change in the color of a thermochromic material occurs due to change in doping or change in the proton-donor or electron acceptor concentrations in the thermochromic composition.
Implementation Method 2
The metal oxide shell can protect the thermochromic core and, in some aspects, can provide useful catalytic properties. As one example, a titanium oxide shell can provide for the photocatallyitc decomposition of organic materials.
Implementation Method 3
improving air quality by oxidizing volatile organic compounds
Data Source
AI summary
A variety of particles forming microencapsulated thermochromic materials. The particles can include a thermochromic core and a metal oxide shell encapsulating the thermochromic core. The thermochromic core can include one or both of an organic thermochromic material and an inorganic salt thermochromic material. In some aspects, the particles include a dye selected from a crystal violet lactone dye, a fluoran dye, and a combination thereof. In still further aspects, the particles include a color developer selected from a hydroxybenzoate, a 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl propane, a hydroxycoumarin derivative, a lauryl gallate, and a combination thereof. In some aspects, the metal oxide shell is a TiO2 shell. The particles can be used in cements and paints and for a variety of building materials. Methods of making the particles and building materials and methods of use, for example, for removing a volatile organic carbon from a building material, are also provided.