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RavenSkin insulation stores up daytime heat for release when temperatures drop

RavenSkin insulation stores up daytime heat for release when temperatures drop
RavenSkin insulation delays heat transfer for when temperatures drop
RavenSkin insulation delays heat transfer for when temperatures drop
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RavenSkin insulation delays heat transfer for when temperatures drop
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RavenSkin insulation delays heat transfer for when temperatures drop

RavenBrick, the company that brought us the smart tinting RavenWindow, has added to its folio of temperature regulating building materials with RavenSkin. Unlike traditional insulation that blocks all heat equally, this innovative wall insulation material absorbs heat during the day to keep the interior cool and slowly releases the stored heat at night to warm the building when the sun goes down.

The core of the system is a phase change material (PCM) that delays the transfer of heat energy from the sun to the interior of the house. PCMs are materials which melt and solidify at a certain temperature, absorbing or releasing heat when the material changes from solid to liquid or vice versa.

RavenSkin consists of an exterior layer of the company’s RavenWindow technology which reflects solar energy when it is hot and lets it pass through when cold. An air gap separates this outer layer from a glass layer that reflects back infrared (IR) to create a greenhouse effect in the air gap. Next is a layer of downconverter material that converts the incoming sunlight to IR below a certain temperature, before letting it pass through to the PCM layer which stores the converted IR energy. This energy is then released as heat through the back painted layer to the interior of the house when the temperature drops to a certain level. This interior surface can also be painted to suit your interior décor.

The current size of the individual panels, which are rated at R11 or greater, is limited to 55 x 55 inches (140 x 140 cm) and RavenBrick says they could provide savings of up to 100 percent on heating and cooling – depending on the building design and location. The company says it’s patent pending technology is perfect for warehouses, sheds and off-grid housing and provides a speedy return on investment for skyscrapers and other commercial, industrial or institutional buildings.

Via Clean Technica

5 comments
5 comments
Adrian Akau
I would think that any structure designed to use this material would have to take into consideration that it must be specially mounted since the interior would have to be kept intact to function properly. Nails would be a no-no so some type of external support frame would be required.
Will, the tink
Adobe does a pretty good job of blocking, then releasing heat slowly to the interior as well. It\'s a great moderator of temperature but doesn\'t work very well in skyscrapers though. On the plus side, I think it\'s a little cheaper to produce. ;-)
Facebook User
I don\'t understand when would someone want to have this skin on the outside of their building? In the summer it helps keep things cool during the day which is good but then radiates the stored heat back into the building at night which is bad. In the winter it prevents the sun from helping to warm the building which is bad and then radiates the stored heat at night when not really needed or desired. Help Please. /DaveB
Facebook User
DaveB, in the summer, why is radiating the stored heat back into the building at night bad? And just the same, in the winter, why is radiating tha stored heat at night not really needed or desired? I\'m not familiar with RavenBrick, but this seems like a low cost energy-saver that doesn\'t require moving parts nor require additional space.
Bruce Miller
Canadian here! still stuck on Straw Bale at measured R-60+ values, looking for Hemp Bale too - now legal to grow in Canada - and a waterproofing, mildew proofing rot proofing spray? Hot Water Heat Storage systems? Solar powered?