A polydimethylsiloxane-coated metal structure for all-day radiative cooling

Lyu Zhou, Haomin Song, Jianwei Liang, Matthew Singer, Ming Zhou, Edgars Stegenburgs, Nan Zhang, Chen Xu, Tien Ng, Zongfu Yu (), Boon Ooi () and Qiaoqiang Gan ()
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Lyu Zhou: The State University of New York at Buffalo
Haomin Song: The State University of New York at Buffalo
Jianwei Liang: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Matthew Singer: The State University of New York at Buffalo
Ming Zhou: University of Wisconsin
Edgars Stegenburgs: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Nan Zhang: The State University of New York at Buffalo
Chen Xu: Hangzhou Dianzi University
Tien Ng: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Zongfu Yu: University of Wisconsin
Boon Ooi: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Qiaoqiang Gan: The State University of New York at Buffalo

Nature Sustainability, 2019, vol. 2, issue 8, 718-724

Abstract: Abstract Radiative cooling is a passive cooling strategy with zero consumption of electricity that can be used to radiate heat from buildings to reduce air-conditioning requirements. Although this technology can work well during optimal atmospheric conditions at night, it is essential to achieve efficient cooling during the daytime when peak cooling demand actually occurs. Here we report an inexpensive planar polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/metal thermal emitter thin film structure, which was fabricated using a fast solution coating process that is scalable for large-area manufacturing. By performing tests under different environmental conditions, temperature reductions of 9.5 °C and 11.0 °C were demonstrated in the laboratory and an outside environment, respectively, with an average cooling power of ~120 W m–2 for the thin film thermal emitter. In addition, a spectral-selective structure was designed and implemented to suppress the solar input and control the divergence of the thermal emission beam. This enhanced the directionality of the thermal emissions, so the emitter’s cooling performance was less dependent on the surrounding environment. Outside experiments were performed in Buffalo, New York, realizing continuous all-day cooling of ~2–9 °C on a typical clear sunny day at Northern United States latitudes. This practical strategy that cools without electricity input could have a significant impact on global energy consumption.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-019-0348-5

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