Scientists develop space-age building material that could revolutionize future cities: ‘Requires no energy or electricity’
A breakthrough material may revolutionize sustainable construction going forward. To do so, it will reimagine the way that buildings are cooled.
The most energy-draining aspect of the average building is its cooling system. Keeping a building at a comfortable temperature can take a ton of electricity, and it requires refrigerants that are harmful to the environment. Any cooling method that might reduce energy and refrigerant needs can therefore reduce a building’s environmental impact.
An international team of scientists has developed a new material that may be the answer to this problem, according to Tech Xplore. It’s a porous plastic sheet about 1/12 of an inch thick that can deflect 96% of light, thereby providing a radiative cooling effect. The sheet is made from powdered polymethyl methacrylate.
There are radiative cooling materials out there, but co-lead researcher Akhlesh Lakhtakia said this one offers something that they do not.