Recent innovations from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bengaluru, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have brought the promising potential of radiative cooling technology into the limelight. Developed as a response to the increasing global temperatures and the high demand for sustainable cooling solutions, this eco-friendly cooling technology offers a practical, cost-effective alternative.
Understanding Radiative Cooling Technology
Radiative cooling technology is a revolutionary approach designed to diffuse heat from an object into the atmosphere, allowing the object to cool off. The technology operates by creating cool surfaces that communicate thermal radiation directly into the chilling depths of the cosmos, which approximately stands at 3 Kelvin, by leveraging the atmospheric transmission window, which ranges from 8 to 13 µm. A remarkable feature of this technology is that it is capable of functioning independently of electricity.
The Urgent Need For Radiative Cooling Technology
The ever-rising global temperatures, coupled with the phenomenon of urban heat island effects, amplify the need for efficient cooling technologies. Traditional active cooling devices such as air-conditioners, fans, and refrigerators consume a substantial amount of electricity, thereby contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and raising surface temperatures. Radiative cooling technology rises to these challenges by emitting thermal radiation passively, without the need for electricity, through the atmospheric transmission window.
Insights into Radiative Cooling Paint
The innovation at the heart of this discussion is a unique cooling paint made from a nanocomposite of magnesium oxide (MgO)-polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer. The constituent materials are inexpensive, abundant on earth, non-toxic, and harmless. The paint displays impressive cooling capacity, boasting high solar reflectivity and infrared thermal emissivity. The MgO-PVDF formulation enriched with dielectric nanoparticles exhibits exceptional solar reflectance (96.3%) and thermal emission (98.5%).
Applications and Benefits of Radiative Cooling Paint
Intended to mitigate the mounting heat impact on buildings, this paint curtails electricity consumption and provides integral cooling during scorching summer days. With its superior optical properties, it can reduce surface temperatures by around 10°C under direct sunlight, thus surpassing traditional white paints. Its water-resistant, hydrophobic characteristics facilitate its easy application on various surfaces, ensuring uniform coverage and robust adhesion. This technological innovation holds substantial promise for a future of sustainable living and energy efficiency.
