Nanodevices and novel materials for energy-efficient constructions

The development of novel technologies exploiting the astonishing properties of nanomaterials is quickly advancing. Among the plethora of available innovative materials and devices, we selected aerogel, phase change materials and two specific classes of chromogenic devices, namely electrochromics and photoelectrochromics. The recent outcomes from these widely investigated fields highlight very interesting opportunities in the design of smart, multifunctional building envelopes. A critical overview of these fields of investigation is provided hereafter, with particular attention towards applications, costs and potential energy-savings.