3D Printed Gyroid Clay and Mycelium Cubes Cool Air by 7 Degrees

How the 3D Printed Cooling Cubes Work

Researchers at Graz University of Technology in Austria have developed 3D printed ceramic cubes that reduce nearby air temperature by nearly 7 degrees Celsius using only water and airflow.

The cubes rely on gyroid infill, a porous 3D printing pattern with no dead ends. That structure maximizes surface area exposed to air while keeping the design support-free. The material itself is a bio-inspired blend of clay, fungal mycelium, and wood chips. After printing, the cubes are fired, burning away the mycelium and wood to leave a network of tiny capillaries inside.

Tested in a Hot Attic

A practical test in an unconditioned attic showed the cubes working as intended. Air near the water-laden blocks ran nearly 7 degrees C cooler than the surrounding space. That is a meaningful difference for anyone who has tried to sleep through a heat wave.

The technology is not ready for mass production, but the principles are sound. The gyroid pattern prints on almost any desktop 3D printer, and low-temperature fired clay is accessible to ceramic artists and makerspaces.

What This Means for Makers

You cannot buy these cubes off the shelf yet, but the concept is straightforward. A porous ceramic structure kept wet will draw heat from air as water evaporates. The mycelium-clay mix improves on traditional terracotta by creating even more internal surface area.

If you want to experiment, start with a gyroid-infilled vase or planter printed from clay filament. Keep it near a fan with a slow drip of water and measure the temperature difference yourself.