The "cooling glass" is waterproof, and resistant to heat and water, ultraviolet rays and dirt, say its creators. It can be applied to a wide range of materials. Photo: AFP
What if the heat emitted by the sun’s rays could be reflected directly back into space? This is the idea behind the passive radiative cooling solution currently being tested by US researchers to reduce the use of air conditioning in buildings.
From cool roofs to solar paint, scientists are stepping up their efforts to develop materials designed to reduce the energy consumption of buildings. Researchers at the University of Maryland, in the United States, recently developed a solution based on “passive radiative cooling”. They developed a microporous coating in the form of a paint, composed of glass particles and aluminum oxide, designed to be applied to the walls or roofs of buildings, or even to road infrastructures.
In concrete terms, this solution is based on an infrared system that maintains a powerful reflection, resistant to all kinds of climatic and atmospheric conditions. It reflects up to 99% of solar radiation, preventing buildings from absorbing heat.
According to Xinpeng Zhao, first author of the research, this technology could reduce the annual carbon emissions of a mid-rise apartment building by 10%.
This cooling glass is also waterproof, flame-resistant and resistant to water, ultraviolet rays and dirt, say its creators. It can be applied to a wide range of materials such as tiles, bricks and metal, and is capable of reducing temperatures by around 3.5°C to 4°C, even in conditions of high humidity during the day and night.
The next step will be to continue the tests in order to define more precise applications for this cooling glass. In collaboration with the University of Maryland, Zhao has even set up the start-up CeraCool, with a view to bringing this patent-pending solution to market in the future.
However, it may well face competition, since researchers at Stanford University recently developed an insulating paint to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. – AFP Relaxnews
