We are searching for topics and funders for the next Longitude Prize. This idea is a draft for discussion about one possible prize focus that we are exploring.
What is the problem?
The built environment consumes massive amounts of energy for heating and cooling and relies heavily on carbon-intensive materials and systems. Current building envelopes are static and unresponsive to changing weather, locking buildings into inefficient energy consumption patterns regardless of the outside climate. Homes and buildings in the most climate change-affected areas suffer the most; there is a massive global demand for new materials that increase the adaptability and resilience of our ever-growing urban environments.
Why does the solution contribute to solving this?
A new type of material that can be deployed internally or externally to regulate indoor temperatures. By developing novel building materials that autonomously adapt to environmental changes inside and outside the building, our cities can drastically reduce a building’s operational energy demand, lengthen building life, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and minimise the strain on national power grids during extreme weather.
Who is the prize awarded to?
Awarded to the team that engineers a commercially viable, adaptive material or envelope system capable of autonomously switching between passive heating and cooling states based on ambient conditions, achieving a certified, significant reduction in reliance on traditional HVAC infrastructure.
The best prize ideas are developed through extensive research and engagement with experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience of the problems they are focused on. We start with a first draft like the one above – then work to improve, refine and validate our thinking. If you are interested in sharing your expertise, or helping us secure funding for the next Longitude Prize, please reach out.