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?
Thermal efficiency in buildings is an imperative climate mitigation and public health response in the context of a rapidly warming and more volatile climate. Traditional building materials achieve thermal efficiency only at the cost of significant trade-offs in volume, weight, cost and degradability. Metamaterials have the capability to bypass this tradeoff, but are underdeveloped and manufacturing needs to scale.
Why does the solution contribute to solving this?
Metamaterial super insulators can achieve thermal efficiency for a fraction of the volume/weight, could be adaptable or tunable to different conditions, and could be sustainable, cheap and scalable, if properly supported, if properly supported, revolutionising the cost and desirability of climate-adapted construction.
Who is the prize awarded to?
For creating materials for a building envelope that offer a desirable level of thermal insulation at dramatically reduced thickness and weight, while remaining cost-competitive, circular, scalable and practical.
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.