Self-cooling textiles – energy-free method using radiative cooling technology
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Due to climate change, population increase and the urban heat island effect (UHI) the cooling energy demand in cities increased by 23% from 1970 to 2010. Previous conventional cooling systems for buildings like air conditioners are based on thermodynamic cycles that account for a large share of electricity demand while dissipating waste heat and carbon dioxide (CO2) into the environment. Technologies such as radiative cooling offer a sustainable and energy-free solution by using the wavelength ranges of the atmosphere that are transparent to electromagnetic radiation to emit thermal radiation into the colder (3K) outer space. Through the targeted analyses of coating formulations and the combination of reflective particles in the solar spectrum and a matrix material emitting strongly in the mid-infrared (MIR), cooling below ambient temperature is achieved. In addition to the radiation effect, the matrix material has high UV and weather stability and is hydrophobic, making the coating suitable for outdoor membrane applications.
