Science often pushes the limits of our logic and intuition. For example, there are concepts such as the curvature of spacetime and the quantum behavior of coupled particles. Likewise, the practical application of some scientific discoveries can be perplexing. At first glance, it is hard to believe that sunlight can be used to cool buildings. But this is the idea behind the technology developed by Yaron Shenhav and the team at Israeli startup SolCold.
The feasibility of laser beam cooling has been known for some time. The underlying principle is that certain materials that respond to impinging photons on an atomic scale can emit photons of higher frequency or energy. This means that there will be a net energy loss. This causes active cooling of the surface rather than just dissipating energy. Having had an epiphany moment in his apartment in Tel Aviv when his AC unit failed on a scorching day, Shenhav decided to make this principle work by harnessing the solar spectrum instead of laser light.
The result is our patent-pending Anti-Stokes fluorescence technology. It uses double layer coating. The top layer filters photons from the solar spectrum, while the bottom layer converts heat into light. Laboratory simulations have shown that low-ceilinged rooms with metal roofs perform better than concrete roofs.at temperatures up to 10 oC or less than conventional white paint. However, there are currently some aesthetic limitations. As Henry Ford said, you can choose any color you like as long as it’s a pale blue.
At $300 per 100 square meters, this paint is relatively more expensive than the standard option, but it saves a lot of energy. SolCold estimates that Can reduce energy consumption by up to 60%, lasts 10-15 years before needing a new coat. Therefore, the first clients are expected to come from the business world.
Finally, the uses of this cooling paint are not limited to our planet. 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. Currently reflective materials are used, but this could be a much more efficient solution.
However, the new SolCold paints have some drawbacks. First, it has a cooling effect in both summer and winter, making it ideal for use in the Middle East and the desert.
However, the first commercial tests won’t take place until April 2019, so it’s still too early to see the potential this technology offers.
Alternative cooling system for buildings: green roofs
SolCold paints are not the only system that combats global warming while reducing energy consumption. In 2015, the Technical University of Madrid (Spain) and the Politecnico di Marche (Italy) jointly investigated the energy efficiency achieved by so-called living roofs (buildings covered with vegetation). Combined with their carbon absorption capacity, buildings equipped with this system absorbed up to 60% less heat than buildings without it. Finally, during the summer months, this green cover building emits 9% more energy than it absorbs.
sauce: new scientist, futurist
