Materials used in a building envelope, the area that separates the indoor and outdoor environments, primarily determines the amount of energy required to heat, cool, and ventilate a building, and together impact the comfort level. BTRIC is exploring new and emerging materials, components, and systems as well as the fundamental science of heat, air, and moisture transfer in order to provide a dynamic rather than a passive envelope system. Research areas include walls, roofs and attics, foundations, sheathings, membranes, coatings and materials. BTRIC researchers also utilize multi-disciplinary expertise to explore new ways to integrate advanced manufacturing into building envelope design such as 3D printing for precast concrete molds, proving to be more durable than conventional wood molds.
- Roofs and Attics