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HEAT REFLECTIVE COATINGS
Philadelphia painted black pavement with a light-coloured coating to fight extreme heat. A year later, researchers found one clear differenceTo tackle urban heat island effects, Philadelphia is trialing cool pavement solutions. In Hunting Park, a reflective light-colored coating ...
Phoenix swapped black asphalt for a reflective road coating; noon surface heat fell 12°F, but pedestrians faced higher radiant heatIn an effort to lower urban heat, Phoenix tested innovative reflective pavement coatings on its roads, revealing that treated asphalt kept ...
Europe turned railway tracks white during extreme heat; the low-cost solution tackles a problem hidden in the steelEuropean transport systems are grappling with the impact of rising extreme heatwaves. To combat this, railway tracks are being coated in wh...
Stanford ran water beneath mirror-like rooftop panels; they cooled it 3–5°C below the surrounding air by sending heat into spaceResearchers at Stanford have created innovative panels that cool water exclusively using sunlight and mirrors. These panels effectively ref...
Aluminium foil can help your candles burn brighter and longer: 8 smart ways to use it in household workAluminium foil is one versatile invention. These malleable sheets can be used for many purposes other than to protect your leftover food. I...
In 2024, scientists tested a zigzag-shaped wall prototype; it was up to 3.1°C cooler than a conventional radiative-cooling wall in outdoor testsEngineers have created a groundbreaking zigzag wall that cools itself through a unique design. This structure lowers its temperature by dir...
A reflective roof coating reduced peak roof temperature by 14.1°C and indoor temperature by 2.4°C; later research found evaporative cooling could add further benefitsInnovative roofing technologies are changing the game for building temperature regulation. By utilizing white reflective coatings, sunlight...
In 2024, scientists built a window that kept a model house about 7°C cooler, without electricity or blocking the viewEngineers in South Korea have developed an innovative smart window that cools spaces sans electricity. This remarkable glass not only refle...
A cement-based paint that "sweats" water kept a model house more than 4.5°C cooler than conventional white paintInnovative researchers have unveiled a remarkable paint designed to keep buildings cooler by absorbing moisture. This advanced formula not ...
Why emergency blankets look like giant sheets of foil; a thin metallic coating reflects radiant heat toward the bodyEmergency blankets are designed to reflect radiant heat, effectively helping to maintain body warmth. This innovative technology has its ro...
Why aluminum foil can turn a cardboard box into a working solar oven: It redirects sunlight toward a dark surface that converts it into heatAn exploration of box-type solar cookers showcased the benefits of incorporating reflectors for improved thermal performance. With the addi...
Why satellites appear wrapped in gold foil: The material actually contains aluminium that protects instruments from extreme heat and coldThe shiny gold exterior seen on spacecraft is not just for aesthetics; it is multi-layer insulation designed to tackle the extreme temperat...
Aluminum foil hacks: It is not just to wrap your leftovers; here's 15 surprising ways to use it around your homeAluminum foil is much more than a kitchen staple; it provides a plethora of practical solutions for everyday chores. Use it to scrub stubbo...
In 2023, U.S. scientists created “cooling glass” that reflects 99% of solar energy and radiates building heat toward spaceA team of engineers at the University of Maryland has unveiled a revolutionary rooftop glass coating that offers remarkable cooling propert...
In 2011, New York tried a simple way to beat peak summer heat by painting rooftops white; here’s how it helped cool citiesIn a proactive initiative starting in 2011, volunteers in New York City painted rooftops white to tackle the challenges of urban heat. This...
In 2019, scientists tested a diaper-like superabsorbent polymer in lab-made asphalt samples; the water-storing material cooled the specimens by up to 12°CResearchers from China have pioneered a groundbreaking asphalt composite integrated with superabsorbent polymers aimed at cooling city envi...
Purdue University created paint so white that a coated surface stayed 8°F below the surrounding air at noonPurdue University researchers developed an ultra-white paint reflecting nearly all sunlight. This innovative paint keeps surfaces cooler th...