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...
31 Aug, 2026, 07.56 PM IST
In 2020, Stanford's radiative cooling technology reached a California supermarket roof; panels were estimated to save 15% to 20% energy, while a Tempe bus shelter film was reported 30°F coolerNew technology allows surfaces to cool themselves under direct sunlight. This innovation reflects sunlight and radiates heat into outer spa...
31 Aug, 2026, 06.40 PM IST
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 ...
31 Aug, 2026, 05.22 PM IST
In 2025, researchers built a box from porous PMMA sheets that reflected 96% of sunlight; 80°F outdoor air measured 65.3°F inside without electricityInnovative materials scientists are exploring passive cooling techniques to lessen the demand for air conditioning. They have engineered a ...
29 Aug, 2026, 07.40 PM IST
In 2020, researchers tested a self-moistening hydrogel mat under solar panels; it cooled them by at least 10°C and boosted output by up to 19%New research introduces a cooling gel for solar panels. This gel absorbs moisture at night and releases it as vapor during the day. The coo...
29 Aug, 2026, 06.30 PM IST
In 2023, Princeton researchers tested a naturally ventilated cooling box; it stayed below outdoor air while using radiative cooling and buoyancy-driven airflowResearchers have unveiled a groundbreaking cooling technique designed for buildings that eliminates the need for traditional air conditioni...
29 Aug, 2026, 02.40 PM IST
In a 2025 study, Penn State researchers tested porous PMMA sheets that reflected 96.4% of sunlight; a test box stayed 14.7°F cooler than the outdoor airInnovative researchers have crafted a groundbreaking porous plastic sheet that cools without any electrical input. By reflecting sunlight a...
29 Aug, 2026, 02.30 PM IST
Ankur Warikoo and his sister played together every day for 15 years; now they talk twice a month. He shares why siblings sometimes drift apartAnkur Warikoo reflected on how he went from playing with his sister every day for 15 years to speaking with her once or twice a month. He s...
28 Aug, 2026, 06.59 AM IST
In 2017, CU Boulder engineers turned glass microspheres into a 50-microliter film; 10 to 20 square meters of it could help cool a family-sized houseA team of researchers has developed a groundbreaking thin film that cools surfaces without the need for electricity or water. By employing ...
26 Aug, 2026, 02.10 PM IST
Argonne modeled Chicago’s August 2021 heatwave with different roof types; white roofs lowered air temperature by nearly 2°C and cooling energy use by 16.6%Transforming the rooftops of Chicago into cooler surfaces has led to a notable reduction in city temperatures. The use of white cool roofs ...
25 Aug, 2026, 06.40 PM IST
Berkeley Lab built a roof coating of vanadium dioxide that flips at 67°C; across 15 US climate zones, it outperformed existing coatings in 12 and cut household electricity by 10%A team of researchers has introduced an innovative roof coating designed to respond to changing seasonal temperatures. This cutting-edge ma...
25 Aug, 2026, 06.30 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
Americans discard about 15 million tons of asphalt roof shingles a year, but old roofs can be ground up and put straight back into the roads people drive onMillions of tons of asphalt shingles are disposed of annually in the United States. These old roofing materials can be processed into recyc...
25 Aug, 2026, 01.20 PM IST
In 2025, a Finnish builder spent about $20,700 and 200 days making a 36-foot plywood solar boat. Earlier in 2026, it crossed more than 3,000 nautical miles from the Baltic to Spain on sunlight aloneA Finnish builder spent about $20,700 and 200 days creating a lightweight 36-foot plywood solar boat designed around efficiency rather than...
24 Aug, 2026, 11.27 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
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