Can Homes Be Made Smarter?

Artificial intelligence can make homes 'smarter,' according to researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) who are investigating 'intelligent rooms' that make use of sensors, thinking chips, and other devices that enable rooms to make environmental changes in response to verbal commands.

The MIT research is one of many innovative projects highlighted in the first issue of "Technology Scanning," a compilation of fact sheets developed by the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) and HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research. The publication examines new and existing technologies and applications from a broad array of industries, other nations, Federal laboratories, and other building sectors for possible breakthroughs that have the potential for widespread acceptance and technology transfer. Many of the technologies will contribute to more affordable, durable, safe, and energy-efficient homes. The publication is comprised of a series of fact sheets detailing recent research results in 14 areas, including: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning; Design and Internet Tools; and Safety.

The Protection of Self-healing Plastic
The Basic Materials fact sheet highlights a new type of plastic that heals its own cracked or fractured areas by generating resin around the fissures. Scientists developed the material for surfboards, car body repair, pole vaulting, cell phones, and U.S. Department of Defense applications. Researchers are also exploring embedding sensors in materials to identify weak spots or material fatigue before the material or product fails, causing injury or harm.

Long-lasting Laser Light Bulbs
New lights that give off the warm light of incandescent bulbs but have the energy saving characteristics of fluorescent lights are described in the Electrical fact sheet. The new light is a solid-state laser that delivers a longer lasting white light with minimal electricity. The device emits an ultraviolet light, which strikes a phosphor coating. The coating glows with an eye-pleasing white light. Light bulbs made with these chips last 10 times longer than fluorescent bulbs and 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs. The chip will be ready within two years as a prototype, and pilot and commercial models may be ready in five to 10 years.

Urban Geometry Affects Home Climate
The Department of Architecture and Urban Design at the University of Constantine, Algeria, and the Department of Architecture at MIT are researching the effects of building design on building climate and energy use. The Sustainable Design Strategies fact sheet describes how building heights, proximity, and street width influence the heat generation characteristics of the street surfaces and surrounding grounds in the local urban micro-climate. Wide streets that are poorly shaded, for example, add more heat to the homes around them than do narrow streets.

Additional "Technology Scanning" fact sheets include:

• Surfaces and Interior Finishes
• Power Generation
• Materials Recycling and Reuse
• Indoor Environmental Quality
  

"Technology Scanning" will be updated as technology developments dictate. It is available for $5.00 from HUD USER. Please use the order form. You can also download it from the HUD USER Web site at www.huduser.gov.