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!
4 Super Technologies That Started Off as Failed Inventions
Check out how some of the great technological inventions of our time actually started off as failed projects.
The Story of the Internet: Who REALLY Invented It?
Who really invented the internet, and why did they REALLY do it?
How Gravity Built the World's Fastest Jet Suit
This jet suit is amazing and brings to mind old movies of the future that suddenly we find ourselves living in. What incredible science!
Let's Learn All About Your White Blood Cells
White blood cells (WBCs) are the part of your immune system which is responsible for fighting infection. Learn all about them here!
Scientists Discover the FIRST Animal That Doesn’t Breathe
This alien looking animal is a relative of jellyfish and it's outstanding, as unlike all other animals on Earth, it doesn’t require oxygen
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.
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.
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.
10 Fascinating Facts About the Subconscious Mind
10 facts about the way the subconscious mind works
Wow! Who Knew That Jupiter Was So Mesmerizing?
Take a look at Jupiter like you've never seen it before!
What Does the Appendix Actually DO?
Dr. Berg explains, in this video, all about the appendix and what it actually does in our body.
Incredible: This Man Got the First Double-Arm Transplant
Felix Gretarsson got burned in both arms and needed the new ones. For that purpose, he went through history's FIRST 2-arm transplant.
How To Be Sure Your Dog Adores You
10 scientific ways to know if your dog loves you
10 Classic Paradoxes fom Philosophy, Math, and Physics
in every sphere of human knowledge, we’re bound to run into inconsistencies. That’s how fascinating paradoxes like these are born.
Understanding the Aging Process of Our Body Parts
Find out how every organ and body part in our body changes with age.
Welcome to the Fastest Maze-Solving Competition Ever Made...
Welcome to Micromouse, a competition for the quick of eyes and the quick of minds. This is the oldest robotics race.
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.
5 Robotics Trends Anticipated in 2024
What does 2024 have in store for the field of robotics?
First US Embryo to be 'Edited'; Rise of Genetic Changes!
Could the first human embryos be genetically modified?
25 Feats of Engineering that Leave Everyone Amazed
The amount of planning and sheer brain power it took to design and execute these structures, proving once again that there are true geniuses out there.
STUDY: The Effect of Personality on Our Level of Happiness
Researchers finally know which types of people will always be happier than others.
50 Crazy But True Facts About Dreams You Need to Know
Here are some strange and unusual facts about dreams that will surprise you.
Fascinating! Discover the Smallest Thing in the Universe
Jonathan Butterworth explains the Standard Model theory and how it helps us understand the world we live in. Take a look:
11 Technologies to Potentially Achieving Immortality
Scientists are hard at work developing technologies that could extend our lifespans and even make us immortal. Here are 11 of them.
The Disappearing Computer: Revolution on a Personal Scale
What happens when we lose the physical large computer all together? This lecture explains what ahead for computers.
Thought Nature is Wild? See It Under a Microscope
You won't believe the things you could discover by looking at everyday items under a microscope.
The Surprisingly Convoluted History of Traffic Lights
What did the first-ever traffic light look like? Probably stranger than you imagine...
17 Experiments That Produced Very Bizarre Results...
Take a look at this collection of photos showing how common people performed some fascinating accidental scientific experiments.
7 Exciting Physics Tricks You Have to See!
Watch these seven remarkable physics tricks in this exciting and fun video.
The McGurk Effect - Don't Believe Your Eyes!
What we hear can be affected by what we see...
Doctors Make History With First Whole Eye Transplant
Surgeons in New York have performed the world’s first transplant of an entire human eye!
7 Weird Facts About the Human Voice That Will Surprise You
We bet you didn’t know these peculiar facts about the human voice.
Introducing the Astronauts That Were Just Launched Into Space
The two astronauts — veteran NASA fliers Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are honored to have been on this flight. Let's get to know them!
Do You Know What Alzheimer's Really Is?
This video will shed light on the different stages of this complex and incredibly destructive disease.
Why Are Your Ears Ringing? The Causes Explained
Nearly 15% of the human population worldwide are plagued by this strange sensation, but most people don't know the causes behind ringing in the ears...
Whatever Happened to that Hole in the Ozone Layer?
Let's embark on this enlightening journey to better understand our atmosphere's health.
This Incredible Documentary Takes You Into the Human Body
A beautiful and graphically advanced animation sheds light on the mysteries of the human body.
The Science Behind Why Laughter is the Best Medicine
They say laughter is the best medicine. But why exactly do we laugh?
26 Incredible Facts About the Human Mind
The human brain is an interesting and powerful organ, which is why we've gathered 26 interesting facts about exactly how human psychology works.
Scientists Finally Know Why We Love Cute Things
We find some things to be irresistibly cute. But why? Let’s find out.
These Wacky Inventions of the Past Appear Odd to Us Today!
These vintage tech inventions may look very interesting or even incredible, but their practicality today is questionable...
Guide: All About the Gut-Brain Connection in Your Body
it's becoming increasingly clear just how influential our tiny gut microbes are in shaping our mood and even our overall health.
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.
Revealed! This Is How Far We Have Sent Crafts into Space!
Ever wondered just how far humans have sent spacecrafts into space? If the answer is yes, then this video is just what you've been looking for.
The Future is in Our Hands - Next Generation Technology
These young brilliant minds grind hard at finding and creating solution to waste recycling, and the results are promising.
10 Declassified U.S. Military Secrets That'll Astound You
Government military secrets can range from amusing to absurd to downright terrifying, but they are all extremely intriguing. Here are 10 such secrets.
These Fire Tricks Will Wow You, But Don't Try Them!
These fire tricks are incredible to look at, but please don't try this at home...