Summer is fast approaching, temperatures are rising, and for some people, the heat could become bothersome in the upcoming months. If you don’t own an air conditioner or you’d rather not have it on for long hours every day to save energy, you might be excited to learn that there is a novel and very interesting solution to the heat problem.
Scientists recently developed an extremely white paint that reflects 98.1 percent of sunlight and cools itself by radiating heat into outer space. The novel formulation could become a cheap and green way to cool down buildings. All homeowners have to do is simply paint their roof. The ultra-reflective paint was developed by Xiulin Ruan, a professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University in Indiana, and his colleagues. It is an improvement of a similar formula the team created last year, which reflected 95.5 percent of light.
Related: 8 Clever Ways to Cool Down Your Bedroom in the Summer Heat
The new paint’s extreme whiteness is due to very high levels of barium sulfate, a compound that occurs in the mineral barite. It is also a key ingredient in photographic paper and cosmetics. The chemistry of barium sulfate as a white pigment has been known since the 18th century, but Ruan and his team adjusted the particle size to create a substance that reflects heat better.
The barium sulfate particles present in the new paint are of different sizes, which is what gives it the broadest spectrum scattering of light and contributes to its high reflectibility.
The new and improved ultra-white paint also absorbs less than half of the amount of energy from the sun compared to the previous version developed by the lab. The amount of sunlight absorbed by the new paint is lower than the amount of energy it radiates through the atmosphere and into deep space, so the material coated with this novel paint actually becomes cooler than its surroundings.
The team hopes that this new technology can lower global carbon emissions by reducing the need for air-conditioning, as well as provide relief for those living in hot areas and are unable to afford air conditioning. According to Ruan, if the paint is used on a 930 square meter roof, the cooling effect of the paint is more powerful than that of an air conditioner. The paint also sends the energy away to outer space rather than leaving it trapped on Earth as an AC unit does. “Traditional air conditioners leave the heat on Earth’s surface, it’s just moved from the inside of your house to the outside,” Ruan said to New Scientist.
The painted surfaces will need to be kept clean of dust and dirt to retain their reflective properties, which is a challenge Ruan’s team is currently working on. Further testing of the product is still needed, but Ruan hopes that ultra-white paint could appear on the market in a year or two.
We will definitely continue following and updating you about the developments of this new technology, as it really has the potential of making a difference in the world.
Share this news with someone who would find it interesting!
Is Calorie-Counting Just a Nutrition Theory Gone Wrong?
We've all been counting calories for decades in hopes to cut down on our waistlines, but it turns our that the calorie system might be wrong
All the Fascinating Space Discoveries Made in 2019
2019 has seen quite a few eye-opening discoveries about space and astronomy. Learn about 26 of them in this video.
What is E-ink and What Does it Have to Do With Cars?
See for yourself! The new electric vehicle from BMW can change color with a push of a button.
Did You Know These Interesting Facts About Colors?
A short article explaining why and how specific colors were chosen for everyday objects like cabs and police uniforms.
Scientists Have Finally Created The First Living Robot
Scientists have finally created the world's first living robot. Watch the clip to find out more about this amazing discovery.
What Would You Do if You Had an Extra Thumb?
This revolutionary invention has the potential to revolutionize the field of prosthetics.
5 Puzzling Mysteries That Science Finally Managed to Solve
These weird occurrences have puzzled humanity for decades, if not centuries. Finally, scientists solved them & the solutions are exciting...
19 Everyday Items That Started as Military Inventions
Look around your home, and you’ll surely find a handful of these items that were originally developed for the armed forces.
Is There Any Way To Destroy or Deflect Asteroids?
Watch an interview with Cathy Plesko, a leading scientist working on preparing for the dangers of an asteroid attack
The Science Behind Why Laughter is the Best Medicine
They say laughter is the best medicine. But why exactly do we laugh?
6 Intriguing Archeological Finds of the 21st Century
These archaeological and paleontological discoveries were made in the past 10 years and they're equally fascinating and intriguing...
20 Amazingly Simple Inventions That Make Life Easier
Some wonderful inventions can fix some of the most annoying little problems that bug us every single day. Here are 20 of the most inventive ideas I've ever seen that I can't believe no one has invented before.
20 Incredible Inventions That We Have Completely Lost
Here are some of the most amazing ideas and inventions we have ever seen. But, sadly, all of them have been lost to science in the mysterious mists of history.
Why Do We LAUGH? 7 Studies on the Origins of Humor
As pervasive as it is in our lives, the origin of laughter remains an intriguing enigma. This article investigates the origins of laughter and humor.
These Inventions Prove the Middle Ages Were Not So “Dark”
These groundbreaking inventions prove the Middle Ages were not so “dark,” after all!
This Mind-Blowing Talk Explores the Nature of Reality
In this video, cognitive scientist, Donald Hoffman, attempts to answer this mind-blowing question in this incredible TED talk.
Wow! Who Knew That Jupiter Was So Mesmerizing?
Take a look at Jupiter like you've never seen it before!
The History of Our Planet in One Beautiful Spiral...
This beautiful infographic offers us a remarkable story – the history of Planet Earth.
What Does Medicine ACTUALLY Do In the Body? Fascinating.
What really happens in our bodies when we take medicine, have you ever wondered? This video will answer your question.
13 Incredible ROOF INNOVATIONS For Your House
Keep the roof of your house safe with these incredibly useful inventions.
What’s it Like Using a 115-Inch TV?!
This colossal 115-Inch TV will transform your viewing experience forever.
15 Frightening Animals Early Humans Had to Live With
10 scary animals early cavemen in Africa had to deal with 200,000 years ago.
The Magical Geometry of Crystals and How It Came to Be
How and why crystals are formed in such distinctive shapes that look like a human must have shaped them.
How Can You Recognize a Fake Gadget Before Buying It?
More often than not, you're almost unable to recognize them. So, before purchasing the product you want to have, bear in mind the following tips:
Your Voice is as Unique As Your Fingerprints
This fascinating video explains how this unique characteristic of humans works, and what makes our voices unique.
Amazing Science: THIS is the True Scale of Our Universe...
Get a sense of the true scale and shape of the universe we've discovered so far.
Science Breakthrough: An Immunization Against Skin Cancer?
This scientific breakthrough offers hope for those who are struggling with skin cancer. You are now invited to discover more about this revolutionary vaccine.
25 Pics Showing How People in the Past Imagined the Future
Let’s see how the people of the past imagined the future and find out if their fun predictions came true with these 25 vintage pictures
How To Be Sure Your Dog Adores You
10 scientific ways to know if your dog loves you
16 Surprising Things I Never Knew About Sleeping!
Who knew there was so much we don't know about our most popular activity! Here are 16 facts you may not have known about your sleep.
GUIDE: How Alcohol Affects Us, Drink by Drink...
In this article, we're going to discuss the exact amounts of alcohol in our blood and what they look like, including how each level affects us and our ability to function.
These Ancient Inventions Have Got Scientists Stumped!
Here are 12 items from long ago which prove that our ancestors possessed knowledge and skills far more advanced than we once believed them to be.
20 Useful Facts About the Science of Cooking
The science behind cooking is not often thought of, but it plays a crucial role in a dish turning out right. Here are 20 facts on the science of cooking.
Are You a Late Sleeper? This Super Video Explains Why
Why is it that some people are late risers, and some are morning people? It's all down to our genetics. Have a look here to find out more.
Watch This Man Build a Future Using Trash from the Past
In this video, you will see what this incredible community has been able to accomplish by building homes from recycled materials.
This Humanoid Robot May Join the Workforce Very Soon...
Meet Digit – a bipedal robot that's ready to join human workers at warehouses around the world as early as 2024.
6 Shocking Truths About Coffee You Never Knew
Have you been believing these common coffee myths too?
Sleep Inventions: 16 Gadgets to Help You Doze Off
If you frequently struggle with sleep, then trying these amazing new sleep innovations could help change your life.
6 Remarkable Yet Overlooked Minds That Shaped Our World
These underappreciated geniuses deserve more recognition.
Fascinating: What is the Deepest Hole Humanity Has Dug?
This video explains how low humanity has dug down so far.
The Story of the Internet: Who REALLY Invented It?
Who really invented the internet, and why did they REALLY do it?
The Accidental Discovery of the World’s First Antibiotic
Not too long ago, it was fairly common to die of the simplest of wounds due to bacterial infection. Penicillin changed everything.
Check Out This Radio-Controlled Lego-Powered Submarine
This is the height of creativity! Check out this insanely cool Lego submarine. It actually works!
2023 in Science: Biggest Discoveries You Missed!
Let’s take a look at the most amazing scientific discoveries that made news this year.
These Photos Show How Dependent We are On Smartphones
Technology has taken over and these funny (but true) photos help to drive this fact home.
There are Some Great Secrets Found in Mathematics...
Numbers hold some great secrets - they even tell us about life!