A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) has developed energy-efficient bricks. | Photo credit: The Hindu
GUWAHATI A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) has developed energy-efficient bricks designed to keep buildings naturally cool and offer solutions for sustainable construction.
The researchers are Bitupan Das, Urbashi Bordoloi, Pushpendra Singh and Pankaj Kalita from IIT-G’s School of Energy Sciences and Engineering and School of Agricultural and Rural Technology. Their study was published in the latest issue of the Journal of Energy Storage.
“In modern architecture, most infrastructures rely on air-conditioning systems to maintain indoor temperatures, especially in summer. Although efficient, these systems consume significant amounts of electricity and contribute significantly to carbon emissions and environmental degradation,” the IIT-G said in a statement.
IIT-G researchers focused on solving the problem of heat entering building interiors through the roof and walls, increasing the use of air conditioners. They redesigned conventional bricks to minimize heat gains.
The team used Phase Change Materials (PCM), a type of substance that can absorb and release heat during phase transitions. An example of such substances is wax, which absorbs heat when melting and releases it after solidification.
“Similarly, when PCMs are incorporated into building components, they absorb excess heat during the day and release it when the temperature drops. In this way, the internal temperature remains stable throughout the day,” the researchers explained.
The team found OM35 to be the most suitable PCM for research. This material melts at around 35 degrees Celsius, making it particularly suitable for hot and humid areas where temperatures range from 28 to 38 degrees Celsius.
Professor Kalita highlighted the use of PCM in the development of climate sensitive infrastructure. “The developed autoclaved aerated concrete brick filled with biocomposite is highly dimensionally stable and offers adequate mechanical strength in hot and humid conditions, making it suitable for infrastructure development,” he said.
Escape challenge
The researchers addressed the issue of PCM leakage during the melting phase by integrating PCM with biochar to develop a composite material. Biochar is a carbon-rich material that serves as a support matrix, holding the molten PCM in place and preventing leakage while increasing thermal conductivity.
“PCM embedded bricks are capable of better thermal management in terms of temperature reduction than conventional bricks, as they can absorb and store heat during the day and gradually release it when the temperature drops, helping to maintain more stable indoor conditions compared to conventional bricks,” said Professor Kalita.
However, the team said that innovative technologies such as PCM-based thermal bricks often do not make it to market. “This is not due to poor performance, but due to practical obstacles such as high initial costs, difficulties in large-scale production, lack of standardization and low awareness among builders and developers. In addition, the absence of real demonstration projects reduces confidence in the industry,” the team said.
“Reducing costs, validating performance through pilot projects, obtaining certifications, and collaborating with industry stakeholders are essential for a successful lab-to-consumer transition. Policy support and awareness programs can further accelerate adoption,” they added. EOM
Published – 28 March 2026 01:18 IST
