Air Conditioners Could Be Replaced By A New White Paint
The idea that a simple paint could replace modern air-conditioning sounds nuts, but researchers at Purdue University say it could become a reality thanks to a cool new “radiative cooling…
LYME REGIS, ENGLAND – MAY 25: People sit beside the sea as they enjoy the fine weather on the beach in Lyme Regis on May 25, 2017 in Dorset, England. Parts of the UK are currently enjoying a blast of warm continental air and sunshine which forecasters claim could deliver the hottest May temperatures since the Second World War. With temperatures possibly hitting 30C (86F) on Saturday, it will make it not only the hottest day of the year so far but could even go higher to beat the record-breaking 32.8C (91F) recorded on May 29, 1944..
(Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)The idea that a simple paint could replace modern air-conditioning sounds nuts, but researchers at Purdue University say it could become a reality thanks to a cool new "radiative cooling paint" they've developed.
The revolutionary white paint can reportedly keep surfaces up to 18 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than their ambient temperature, by absorbing almost no solar energy and actually sending heat away from the surface it is covering. It's kind of like turning basically any space into a refrigerator, only without the energy cost.
According to researchers, commercially available white paint can reflect just 80%-90% of sunlight and cannot achieve temperatures below their surroundings, while this new reflective white paint reflects 95.5% sunlight and radiates infrared heat much more efficiently. Joseph Peoples, a Purdue Ph.D. student explains, "Your air conditioning kicks on mainly due to sunlight heating up the roof and walls and making the inside of your house feel warmer. This paint is basically creating free air conditioning by reflecting that sunlight and offsetting those heat gains from inside your house."
Sign me up! Who wants to help me paint?
Source: Purdue.edu
