Dynamic thermal system for minimizing energy demands in buildings (Darwin-PCM)

Darwin is a novel dynamic thermal system to be used in buildings to minimize their energy consumption for space heating and cooling. It is composed of several layers of materials, being one of them mobile and containing a material with capacity to absorb and release high amount of heat - such as phase-change materials (PCM). In winter during the day, the PCM layer is exposed outdoors to capture and store solar radiation whilst by night it is placed indoors to release the absorbed energy to provide comfort to occupants. In summer, the PCM is moved to face outdoors to be solidified, and during the day is moved back indoors to discharge the cooling to the indoor environment. This system works cyclically and allows the building to optimize its bioclimatic behavior.