Those black dots around your car’s windshield aren’t decoration; the ceramic frit helps protect the adhesive from UV light and reduces heat-related distortionThe small black dots you see on windshields are known as frit, consisting of a ceramic enamel that is fused into the glass. This frit serve...
25 Aug, 2026, 03.20 PM IST
Columbia Engineering built a pigment-free paint filled with microscopic air pores; it stayed 6°C below surrounding air during hot desert tests in ArizonaResearchers at Columbia University and Purdue University have unveiled an experimental paint-like coating that can cool surfaces to tempera...
25 Aug, 2026, 02.50 PM IST
Illinois researchers tested a passive cooling film in Houston; treated metal roofs measured more than 40°F cooler in direct sunlightAs American summers heat up, public health risks escalate, prompting researchers to create an innovative coating that cools metal roofs by ...
25 Aug, 2026, 02.40 PM IST
In 2019, University of Maryland researchers stripped lignin from wood; the resulting cooling material stayed 12°F cooler than natural wood in an Arizona testScientists developed engineered wood to reflect sunlight and release heat. This material stayed cooler than natural wood when exposed to su...
25 Aug, 2026, 02.20 PM IST
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 ...
24 Aug, 2026, 08.45 PM IST
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...
23 Aug, 2026, 11.10 PM IST
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...
21 Aug, 2026, 01.00 PM IST
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...
20 Aug, 2026, 01.56 PM IST
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...
19 Aug, 2026, 02.30 PM IST
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...
19 Aug, 2026, 02.20 PM IST
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...
19 Aug, 2026, 02.10 PM IST
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 ...
18 Aug, 2026, 06.40 PM IST
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...
18 Aug, 2026, 02.00 PM IST
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...
17 Aug, 2026, 06.50 PM IST
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...
17 Aug, 2026, 06.40 PM IST
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...
10 Aug, 2026, 05.29 PM IST
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...
09 Aug, 2026, 10.15 AM IST