Taking the heat

Abstract

The newly developed membrane material with PCM treatment offers a unique set of improved thermal performance capabilities previously unattainable in an architectural membrane fabric. These capabilities will allow for a substantial improvement of the thermal management of buildings with membrane enclosures. The enhanced thermal management reduces a building's air-conditioning and heating demands, and thus makes the building more energy efficient. The reduced temperature fluctuations the membrane is supposed to buffer during the day may influence the material's aging behavior in a positive manner that will lead to a longer service life. A unique feature of the new membrane material is the change in its light transmission as a result of temperature changes, which might be especially interesting for architectural applications. The thermal effects provided by the PCM application in membrane structures are durable. The thermal solution is maintenance free, cost effective, and does not require any external energy supply.