Science often pushes the limits of our logic and intuition. For example, concepts such as the curvature of spacetime and the quantum behavior of coupled particles. Likewise, the practical application of some scientific findings can be confusing. At first glance, it would be hard to believe that sunlight could be used as a means of cooling a building. However, this is the idea behind the technology developed by Yaron Shenhav and the team at Israeli startup SolCold.
Feasibility Cooling by laser beam It has been known for some time. The underlying principle is that certain materials may react to photons striking them at the atomic scale and emit photons of higher frequency or energy, meaning that a net energy loss occurs. . This causes active cooling of the surface rather than just dissipating energy. Having a serendipitous moment in her Tel Aviv apartment where her air conditioner failed on a scorching day, Shenhaf decided to put the principle into practice by using the sun’s spectrum instead of laser beams.
The result was a patent-pending anti-Stokes fluorescence technology using a dual-layer coating. The top layer filters photons from the solar spectrum and the bottom layer converts heat into light. Laboratory simulations have shown that low-ceilinged rooms with metal roofs provide better results than concrete roofs.temperature up to 10 degrees ahC is lower than that obtained with conventional white paint coatings. However, there are some aesthetic limitations at this time. As Henry Ford says, any pale blue color will do.
At $300 per 100 square meters, this paint is relatively more expensive than the standard option, but offers significant energy savings. SolCold estimates that Can reduce energy consumption by up to 60%, lasting 10-15 years before needing a new coat. Therefore, the first customers are expected to come from the business world.
Finally, the uses for this cooling paint aren’t limited to Earth. In fact, space stations and satellites could also benefit from its capabilities. Although the temperature in outer space is very low, the absence of an atmosphere reduces the dissipation of heat generated by solar radiation. Reflectors are currently used, but this could be a more efficient solution.
However, the new SolCold paint has some drawbacks. First, the cooling effect works in both summer and winter, making it ideal for use in the Middle East and deserts.
However, the first commercial tests won’t take place until April 2019, so it’s still too early to see the potential offered by this technology.
Alternative cooling systems for buildings: green roofs
SolCold paints are not the only system that combats global warming while reducing energy consumption. 2015, Technical University of Madrid (Spain) and Technical University of Marche (Italy) jointly researched Energy efficiency achieved by so-called living roofs, i.e. buildings covered with plants. Together with their carbon absorption capacity, buildings with this system absorbed up to 60% less heat than those without. Finally, during the summer months, this green-covered building emits 9 percent more energy than it absorbs.
sauce: new scientist, futurism
