Energy-Efficient Cooling System for Buildings: A New Solution
With the rise in global temperatures, the need for sustainable cooling options is increasing. Researchers at UCLA have developed an affordable and scalable process to cool buildings in the summer and heat them in the winter.
Led by Aaswath Raman, the team at UCLA recently published a study in Cell Reports Physical Science that introduces a new method to control radiant heat through common building materials for optimal thermal management.
Radiant heat, carried by electromagnetic waves, travels through a broad spectrum between buildings and their surroundings. The challenge lies in cooling buildings with less exposure to the sky, as they retain heat from the ground and neighboring walls in the summer and lose heat in winter. The researchers aimed to create a passive radiative cooling effect by coating walls and windows with materials that manage heat movement effectively.
By using materials like polypropylene sourced from household plastics, the team found that these materials can absorb and emit radiant heat within the atmospheric window, keeping buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This approach not only saves energy by reducing the need for air conditioners and heaters but also has the potential to provide cost-effective cooling and heating solutions, particularly for low-income communities.
The researchers are working to demonstrate the scalability of this method and its real-world energy savings, especially in heat-vulnerable communities in Southern California. The study was funded by various organizations, including the Schmidt Science Fellowship and the National Science Foundation.
By leveraging easily accessible materials and a passive cooling and heating mechanism, this innovative approach offers a sustainable solution to address the impacts of extreme weather events and reduce carbon emissions.
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Michael Thompson earned his degree in Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University in the USA, specializing in precision agriculture and smart farming technologies. His work revolves around the development of automated systems that increase farm efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Michael is now a senior engineer at a leading agri-tech company, where he designs innovative solutions for modern agriculture.