Pushing Radiative Cooling Technology to Real Applications

[Geoengineering News]

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adma.202409738

Authors

Chongjia Lin, Keqiao Li, Meng Li, Benjamin Dopphoopha, Jiongzhi Zheng, Jiazheng Wang, Shanshan Du, Yang Li, Baoling Huang

16 October 2024

https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202409738

Abstract

Radiative cooling is achieved by controlling surface optical behavior toward solar and thermal radiation, offering promising solutions for mitigating global warming, promoting energy saving, and enhancing environmental protection. Despite significant efforts to develop optical surfaces in various forms, five primary challenges remain for practical applications: enhancing optical efficiency, maintaining appearance, managing overcooling, improving durability, and enabling scalable manufacturing. However, a comprehensive review bridging these gaps is currently lacking. This work begins by introducing the optical fundamentals of radiative cooling and its potential applications. It then explores the challenges and discusses advanced solutions through structural design, material selection, and fabrication processes. It aims to provide guidance for future research and industrial development of radiative cooling technology. 

a) Schematic of outdoor heat transfer between a surface and the environment. Reproduced with permission.[7] Copyright 2022, Elsevier. b) The spectra of normalized solar irradiation (AM 1.5G), blackbody thermal irradiation (300 K), and atmospheric transmittance. The ideal emittance (absorbance) spectra of coolers are plotted as dash lines

Source: Wiley Online Library