# Researchers Create Eco-Friendly Cooling Tiles That Function Without Electricity
In a remarkable advancement for sustainable architecture, engineers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have designed a novel type of cooling tile that aids in regulating building temperatures — all without electricity. Composed of mushrooms and bamboo, these groundbreaking tiles have the potential to transform our approach to green construction.
## Nature-Inspired Design
The cooling tiles are made using oyster mushroom mycelium — the root-like component of fungi — along with recycled bamboo waste from furniture manufacturing. The material is shaped into a surface that replicates the deeply wrinkled texture of elephant skin. This design serves not only an aesthetic purpose but also significantly impacts the tile’s cooling efficiency.
Elephants, despite their large size and absence of sweat glands, effectively regulate their body temperature through their wrinkled skin. The wrinkles trap moisture and expand surface area, enhancing heat dissipation. NTU’s researchers utilized this concept for their tiles, producing a surface that decelerates heat absorption and retains moisture, thereby facilitating passive cooling through evaporation.
## An Eco-Friendly Alternative to Conventional Materials
Conventional building materials such as cement and synthetic insulation contribute significantly to global carbon emissions. Cement production alone is responsible for approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions. With urban areas expanding and temperatures increasing, the demand for energy-heavy cooling solutions like air conditioning is anticipated to rise, exacerbating environmental issues.
The NTU cooling tiles present an eco-friendly option. They are biodegradable, lightweight, and highly porous, making them exceptional insulators. Laboratory experiments revealed that the tiles absorbed heat more slowly and cooled off more rapidly than traditional flat tiles. Simulated rainfall tests also indicated that the textured surface facilitated water retention, improving evaporative cooling.
## Challenges and Future Opportunities
Although the innovation shows great potential, scaling production poses a significant obstacle. The cultivation of each tile takes around a month, which may restrict large-scale use. Nevertheless, the research team is working in partnership with a local startup to investigate quicker manufacturing methods and is experimenting with various fungi strains to enhance the tiles’ durability and functionality.
If successful, these cooling tiles could complement other sustainable building materials, like cement-free concrete, significantly lowering the carbon footprint of new construction projects.
## A Move Toward Sustainable Urban Living
The creation of these mushroom-based cooling tiles marks an important advancement towards greener, more sustainable cities. By leveraging the principles of biomimicry and focusing on renewable materials, researchers are laying the groundwork for a future where buildings can remain cool naturally — minimizing energy consumption and aiding in the fight against climate change.
As urban centers globally face rising temperatures and environmental challenges, innovations like NTU’s cooling tiles provide a hopeful vision of a cooler, more sustainable future.
