RADIATIVE COOLING PAINT
Why in the News?
- Researchers from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) have engineered a groundbreaking radiative cooling paint.
Source: Science.org
What is Radioactive Cooling Paint?
Radiative cooling paint is a specialized coating designed to cool surfaces by radiating heat into space, reducing their temperature.
The Need for Cooling Technologies
- The increasing global warming and the urban heat island effects have made cooling technologies crucial.
- Active cooling devices like air conditioners, electric fans, and refrigerators not only consume substantial electrical energy but also emit greenhouse gases, contributing to elevated surface temperatures on Earth.
Radiative Cooling Technology : Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling (PDRC)
- Passive Daytime Radiative cooling technology offers an eco-friendly alternative by cooling surfaces through thermal radiation emission, without electricity consumption.
- Various applications : PDRC has garnered attention for various applications, including building and automobile cooling, solar cells, and personal thermal management.
The JNCASR Breakthrough
Novel MgO-PVDF Polymer Nanocomposite
- JNCASR researchers, under the leadership of Professor Bivas Saha, have created this radiative cooling paint using a novel MgO-PVDF polymer nanocomposite.
- The paint is cost-effective, solution-processed, and exhibits
- high solar reflectivity and
- infrared thermal emissivity.
Efficacy of the Paint
- Impressive Temperature Reduction : Experimental findings indicate that surfaces treated with this nanocomposite paint experience a remarkable decrease in temperature.
For example, treated pavers exhibit a temperature reduction of approximately 10°C under intense sunlight, almost twice the effect of conventional white paints.
- It has the potential to significantly reduce electricity consumption.
Versatile Application
- Water-Resistant : The paint shows water-resistant hydrophobic properties, ensuring durability.
- Uniform Coating : It can be easily applied to various surfaces like pavers, wood sticks, etc., with high uniformity and strong adhesion.
An Environmentally Sustainable Solution
This innovative paint offers a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable means to reduce surface temperatures during scorching summer days , promising benefits for both Urban and Rural Areas.