New Paint Developed by Scientists at Stanford University Could Help Reduce Reliance on Air Conditioners and Heaters
Scientists at Stanford University have created a groundbreaking new paint that has the potential to reduce our dependence on air conditioners and heaters. This paint, available in a variety of colors, could significantly lower electricity bills and emissions if used correctly.
The key feature of this paint is its ability to reflect up to 80 percent of mid-infrared light emitted by the Sun. This level of reflection is 10 times higher than that of conventional colored paints. Typically, mid-infrared light is absorbed as heat by building surfaces. However, when this paint is applied on the exterior, it prevents heat from entering the building, while it can keep heat inside when applied on the interior. The creators of this paint claim that it offers an energy-saving solution throughout the year, regardless of the climate.
In experimental conditions, the paint was tested in both artificially warm and cold spaces. It was found that it decreased the energy required to cool the enclosed area by nearly 21 percent in warm conditions and helped reduce the energy needed for heating by 36 percent in cold conditions. Researchers estimate that when applied to an entire building, the paint could save 7.4 percent of the energy typically used for heating, ventilation, and cooling in a mid-rise apartment building.
This development is particularly significant considering that buildings in the United States contribute approximately 40 percent of the country’s total energy consumption, with a significant portion being used for HVAC systems. Moreover, as climate change leads to more frequent and severe temperature extremes worldwide, air conditioners are becoming increasingly essential in households. Estimations suggest that by 2050, two-thirds of all households globally will have air conditioning units. However, while these devices save lives and provide comfort, they are not the most cost-effective or environmentally friendly cooling solution, contributing to carbon emissions and air pollution.
While other paints and coatings are available that reflect mid-infrared light, the new paint from Stanford stands out due to its wide variety of colors. Unlike previous options that were often white or silver, this paint comes in white, blue, red, yellow, green, orange, purple, and dark gray. This diverse range is made possible by the double-layer design of the paint. The bottom layer consists of silver aluminum flakes that act as a reflective surface, while the top layer consists of colorful inorganic nanoparticles that are transparent to infrared light.
The team behind this breakthrough continues to improve upon their technology and aims to bring the paint to market in the future. With the need to reduce energy consumption and emissions globally, materials scientist Yi Cui from Stanford emphasizes the importance of finding effective solutions for enhancing insulation. He mentions the increasing demand for materials like low-emissivity films for windows.
The study detailing this innovative paint was published in the scientific journal PNAS.