Radiative cooling and indoor light management enabled by a transparent and self-cleaning polymer-based metamaterial

Gan Huang (), Ashok R. Yengannagari, Kishin Matsumori, Prit Patel, Anurag Datla, Karina Trindade, Enkhlen Amarsanaa, Tonghan Zhao, Uwe Köhler, Dmitry Busko and Bryce S. Richards ()
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Gan Huang: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Ashok R. Yengannagari: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Kishin Matsumori: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Prit Patel: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Anurag Datla: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Karina Trindade: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Enkhlen Amarsanaa: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Tonghan Zhao: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Uwe Köhler: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Dmitry Busko: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Bryce S. Richards: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Transparent roofs and walls offer a compelling solution for harnessing natural light. However, traditional glass roofs and walls face challenges such as glare, privacy concerns, and overheating issues. In this study, we present a polymer-based micro-photonic multi-functional metamaterial. The metamaterial diffuses 73% of incident sunlight, creating a more comfortable and private indoor environment. The visible spectral transmittance of the metamaterial (95%) surpasses that of traditional glass (91%). Furthermore, the metamaterial is estimated to enhance photosynthesis efficiency by ~9% compared to glass roofs. With a high emissivity (~0.98) close to that of a mid-infrared black body, the metamaterial is estimated to have a cooling capacity of ~97 W/m2 at ambient temperature. The metamaterial was about 6 °C cooler than the ambient temperature in humid Karlsruhe. The metamaterial exhibits superhydrophobic performance with a contact angle of 152°, significantly higher than that of glass (26°), thus potentially having excellent self-cleaning properties.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48150-2

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