Ceramic perspiration: Multi-scalar development of ceramic material

Abstract

Ceramic building material is a useful passive modulator of heat and humidity in the environment. Components can be designed to respond to specific environmental conditions by controlling material density and porosity as well as surface characteristics. Through investigations into materials engineering, formal design, and prototyping, key physical attributes have been identified. This relates to a number of physical principles: the ability of the material to absorb and release thermal energy, the ability to absorb and then “wick” moisture within the pore structure, and the decrement factor or “time lag” of the effect. The interplay between these effects points to the importance of directionality in the granular structure, as well as at the architectural component scale. Recent work done on monitoring has led to the development of software tools that allow feedback approaching real time—a visual representation of the dynamic thermal and hygrometric properties involved.