A Biomedical Engineering–inspired Smart Housing System for Autonomous Human Thermoregulation Using Bio-humid Wall Bricks: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Human thermoregulation is a biologically optimised process that maintains internal body temperature within a narrow physiological range despite fluctuating environmental conditions. Conventional residential buildings rarely incorporate such biological principles and instead rely heavily on energy-intensive Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems. This reliance contributes significantly to global energy consumption, while often providing suboptimal thermal comfort. In this study, a biomedical engineering–inspired smart housing concept is proposed, in which the building envelope functions analogously to human skin using bio-humid wall bricks. These bricks are composed of hygroscopic and porous bio-based materials capable of regulating indoor temperature through moisture absorption, evaporative cooling, and thermal buffering. Drawing inspiration from sweating, vasodilation and heat-moisture exchange processes in human physiology, the system passively adapts to environmental changes. Governing heat and mass transfer equations are developed alongside physiological thermal comfort models. The proposed framework demonstrates the potential to reduce indoor temperature fluctuations, improve occupant thermal comfort and reduce energy demand, particularly in hot and humid climates.