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Indoor thermoregulatory homeostasis using hydrodynamic instability.

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Title: Indoor thermoregulatory homeostasis using hydrodynamic instability.
Authors: Kay, Raphael1,2,3 rkay@seas.harvard.edu, Cocks, Ross J.1,4, Katrycz, Charles1, Jakubiec, J. Alstan4,5, Wilborn, Atalaya Milan3, Omair, Rafiq3, Aizenberg, Joanna3,6 jaiz@seas.harvard.edu, Hatton, Benjamin D.1 benjamin.hatton@utoronto.ca
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 5/26/2026, Vol. 123 Issue 21, p1-9. 9p.
Subjects: Flow instability, Interfacial flow instability, Fluid dynamics, Environmental quality, Conservation of energy, Smart materials, Temperature control
Abstract: Branching patterns can emerge when one fluid is injected into a more viscous one within a quasi-two-dimensional cavity. While these patterns have dazzled physicists for decades, modern engineering efforts have focused on suppressing, rather than leveraging, these flow instabilities. Here, by designing fluidic devices with calibrated geometries, liquid absorptivities, and rheology, we exploit the thermal sensitivity of the Saffman-Taylor instability to achieve thermoregulatory shading systems with self-adjustment capabilities. Our devices produce negative feedback branching patterns that reduce indoor solar heating when warm but increase it when cool. Moreover, compared to existing temperature-responsive shading approaches with fixed thermal behaviors, our system can switch its thermal sensitivity and indoor temperature setpoints on-demand by adjusting the rate that patterns are grown. Experiments and models reveal the energy savings and indoor climate control capabilities enabled by this thermoregulatory framework. Overall, our work provides a blueprint for designing materials with self-regulatory behaviors based on flow instabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America is the property of National Academy of Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: Indoor thermoregulatory homeostasis using hydrodynamic instability.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Proceedings+of+the+National+Academy+of+Sciences+of+the+United+States+of+America%22">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America</searchLink>. 5/26/2026, Vol. 123 Issue 21, p1-9. 9p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Flow+instability%22">Flow instability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interfacial+flow+instability%22">Interfacial flow instability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fluid+dynamics%22">Fluid dynamics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Environmental+quality%22">Environmental quality</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Conservation+of+energy%22">Conservation of energy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Smart+materials%22">Smart materials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Temperature+control%22">Temperature control</searchLink>
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  Data: Branching patterns can emerge when one fluid is injected into a more viscous one within a quasi-two-dimensional cavity. While these patterns have dazzled physicists for decades, modern engineering efforts have focused on suppressing, rather than leveraging, these flow instabilities. Here, by designing fluidic devices with calibrated geometries, liquid absorptivities, and rheology, we exploit the thermal sensitivity of the Saffman-Taylor instability to achieve thermoregulatory shading systems with self-adjustment capabilities. Our devices produce negative feedback branching patterns that reduce indoor solar heating when warm but increase it when cool. Moreover, compared to existing temperature-responsive shading approaches with fixed thermal behaviors, our system can switch its thermal sensitivity and indoor temperature setpoints on-demand by adjusting the rate that patterns are grown. Experiments and models reveal the energy savings and indoor climate control capabilities enabled by this thermoregulatory framework. Overall, our work provides a blueprint for designing materials with self-regulatory behaviors based on flow instabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America is the property of National Academy of Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1073/pnas.2535522123
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        Text: English
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        PageCount: 9
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      – SubjectFull: Flow instability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interfacial flow instability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fluid dynamics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Environmental quality
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Conservation of energy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Smart materials
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Temperature control
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Indoor thermoregulatory homeostasis using hydrodynamic instability.
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            NameFull: Kay, Raphael
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              M: 05
              Text: 5/26/2026
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              Y: 2026
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