This Smart Paint Puts Your Walls to Work Against Humidity and Mold

SOMERVILLE, MA – February 12, 2026 – In the ongoing quest for healthier, more efficient homes, the latest innovation isn't a smart-home gadget or a complex appliance, but the paint on the walls. Adept Materials, a Somerville-based advanced materials company, has officially launched Lilypad™, a revolutionary paint and primer system designed to passively combat one of the most pervasive and costly problems in residential buildings: excess humidity.

Born from a physics research lab at Brown University, Lilypad transforms static walls into an active, intelligent system for moisture control. Without using any electricity, sensors, or wires, the paint automatically absorbs, stores, and releases water vapor, smoothing out the daily humidity spikes that can lead to mold, material degradation, and poor indoor air quality. The launch marks a significant step in the field of smart materials, aiming to tackle a multi-billion-dollar issue that affects nearly half of all homes in the United States.

The Science of 'Smart' Walls

At the heart of Lilypad is Adept Materials' patented Vaporwisp™ technology, a material science breakthrough developed by the company's founder and CEO, physicist Dr. Derek Stein. The system is elegantly simple in its function but complex in its design, mimicking the way plants naturally manage water.

"Our vision is a smart home that doesn't need complex sensors, wires, or electricity to function," said Derek Stein. "By embedding intelligence into the materials themselves, we enable walls to respond to the environment. Lilypad's Vaporwisp™ technology takes its cue from how plants naturally manage water. It automatically regulates humidity and temperature, even when the power goes out."

When indoor humidity rises—from activities like showering, cooking, or simply from a humid day—the Lilypad paint acts as a desiccant, pulling water vapor directly from the air. A single gallon can absorb about 13 ounces of vapor, roughly the amount produced by a hot shower. This moisture is stored within the paint's unique structure. As the air naturally dries, the stored vapor is slowly released back into the room, maintaining a more balanced environment.

Completing the system is the Lilypad Primer, which functions as a humidity-responsive gate. It prevents the absorbed moisture from penetrating the wall cavity, protecting the structural integrity of the home. In controlled tests simulating a typical shower, surfaces coated with Lilypad maintained a peak humidity about 15 percent lower than those with standard paint, a critical reduction that can inhibit the formation of damp surfaces where mold thrives.

A Solution to a Multi-Billion Dollar Problem

Unmanaged moisture is far more than a minor inconvenience. According to industry data, persistent dampness and mold are present in nearly 47% of U.S. homes, conditions associated with a 30% to 50% increase in respiratory illnesses and asthma. The economic toll is staggering, costing the U.S. economy more than $22 billion annually in health-related impacts and another $13 billion in moisture-related insurance claims for homes and businesses.

Lilypad enters this market as a passive, preventative solution. It offers an alternative to the growing market for energy-intensive dehumidifiers and complex HVAC systems. By integrating moisture management directly into a home's surfaces, it provides a tool for homeowners, property managers, and developers to upgrade buildings without costly mechanical retrofits. The problem is particularly acute in modern, energy-efficient homes, which are built to be airtight. While this saves on heating and cooling, it can also trap moisture inside, creating an ideal breeding ground for mold if not properly managed.

Industry Giants Bet on a New Coat of Paint

The technology has already captured the attention and investment of the construction industry's biggest players. D.R. Horton and PulteGroup, two of the nation's largest homebuilders, led a $4 million seed funding round for Adept Materials and have announced plans to integrate Lilypad into their upcoming projects. This powerful endorsement signals strong industry validation for the product's potential to reshape building standards.

"D.R. Horton is committed to delivering quality homes across our footprint. Moisture management is an essential focus in the construction process, and Lilypad paint is expected to enhance our approach with a solution that provides greater durability, efficiency and peace of mind for our homebuyers," stated Brad Conlon, SVP of Business Development at D.R. Horton.

PulteGroup echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the product's seamless integration and tangible benefits.

"We're always looking for innovations that go above and beyond for our buyers. Lilypad integrates seamlessly into our building process while enhancing indoor air quality and comfort," said Brian Jamison, National VP of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement at PulteGroup. "It's practical innovation that helps us deliver healthier, more comfortable homes."

This partnership aligns with the builders' broader corporate strategies focused on sustainability and delivering long-term value through innovative, eco-friendly home features.

Painting the Way to Energy Efficiency and Safety

Beyond moisture control, Lilypad promises significant energy savings. Air conditioning systems consume about 12% of all electricity in U.S. households, costing homeowners $29 billion annually. In humid climates, up to 40% of that energy is used just to remove moisture from the air. Studies conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy predict that a home painted with Lilypad could reduce annual HVAC energy use by up to 10%. If widely adopted, this could translate to over a billion dollars in collective energy savings each year.

Adept Materials has also prioritized health and environmental safety in its formulation. Lilypad products are free from Red List chemicals—a list of materials designated as harmful to human and ecological health. The paint is formulated to meet California's stringent Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) standards, and both the primer and matte paint have received GreenWise™ Certification from the Coatings Research Group Inc. This independent certification confirms the product meets high standards for environmental performance and low chemical emissions. The same group's testing also verified that Lilypad performs as a premium interior paint in terms of durability, scrub resistance, and stain resistance.

For now, Lilypad is available exclusively in Perfect White on its website, with plans for additional colors in the future. With its launch, Adept Materials is not just selling paint; it's proposing a new way of thinking about the buildings we inhabit, where the materials themselves are an active part of a healthier, more efficient, and more resilient living environment.