Exploration of Clay-printed TPMS Structures with Varying Porosity for Passive Humidity Regulation

Biodigital material system _ forth phase

Enza Migliore, Che Ran

Effective indoor humidity regulation is crucial for maintaining comfort, health, and energy efficiency in built environments. However, traditional approaches to humidity regulation, such as mechanical dehumidification and ventilation systems, are often energy-intensive and environmentally taxing, highlighting the need for passive, sustainable solutions. This study introduces a novel approach to passive humidity regulation fabricated using parametric design and extrusion-based additive manufacturing with Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) geometries. We leveraged TPMS to create clay-printed samples with six varying porosities, optimizing specific surface areas and unit thickness to enhance moisture buffering capabilities. The Moisture Buffer Value (MBV), Moisture Absorption Ratio (MAR), and Moisture Absorption per Unit Volume (MAPV) for each sample were measured, revealing a clear relationship between porosity and humidity regulation performance. It indicates that porosity correlates with higher moisture buffering performance, underscoring the potential of tailored TPMS-based clay structures as intelligent materials for passive indoor environment control. This work offers a foundation for sustainable building solutions that harness material intelligence.

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