Now Reading: 3D-printed clay cube cools air by 7°C using water
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3D-printed clay cube cools air by 7°C using water
Researchers at Graz University of Technology in Austria have demonstrated a 3D-printed ceramic cube that cools surrounding air by nearly 7°C using only water and evaporation. The 23-centimetre cube contains a triply…
The Story in Brief
Researchers at Graz University of Technology in Austria have demonstrated a 3D-printed ceramic cube that cools surrounding air by nearly 7°C using only water and evaporation. The 23-centimetre cube contains a triply periodic minimal surface structure, which maximises internal surface area. Water spreads through the porous fired clay via capillary action; as it evaporates, it draws heat from the air. In attic tests, the cooling effect extended beyond the cube’s immediate vicinity.
The team is also exploring two practical angles: using fungal mycelium and sawdust as a template for better pore networks, and turning dredged sediment from Lake Neusiedl into raw clay for the cubes. Both are still under study. Times of India reports that while the principle is proven, performance depends on humidity and air movement.
The Indian Opinion
Some will rush to call this a replacement for air-conditioners. Not yet. Evaporative cooling works well only in dry air, and India’s monsoon humidity would blunt the effect. The real test is whether the team’s dredged sediment clay can keep performance consistent. Watch for the next published results: if the cubes maintain even a 4°C drop in 70% humidity, the idea becomes worth scaling.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
