Last year, we wrote about a team of researchers led by Purdue University mechanical engineering professor Xiulin Ruan who invented a kind of paint that is so white it reflects more than 95 percent of the sunlight that falls on surfaces covered in it. We love keeping track of … [Read more...] about The future is bright white! How paint can help cool a city
Cooling
Sunlight and saltwater is all you need for this electricity-free cooling system
Researchers at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) are working on a cooling system that requires zero electricity, something that would be highly valuable in many parts of the world that lack infrastructure but get a lot of sunlight. The … [Read more...] about Sunlight and saltwater is all you need for this electricity-free cooling system
This climate-friendly cooling unit cuts the CO2 footprint of HVAC by 75%
As the world keeps getting warmer, air conditioners are likely to become an increasingly common element of home design. With that said, these appliances are themselves a burden on the environment because they’re so energy-hungry. The same goes for heaters that are intended to … [Read more...] about This climate-friendly cooling unit cuts the CO2 footprint of HVAC by 75%
This electricity-free device can cool buildings in an eco-friendly way
Air conditioners are among the world’s hungriest energy consumers, and as the planet becomes warmer and the demand for cooling systems increases, the strain on the environment from air conditioners is only expected to grow. In a bid to find a way to passively cool our buildings, … [Read more...] about This electricity-free device can cool buildings in an eco-friendly way
These water-filled windows can cool and heat buildings more sustainably
Given the thermal shortcomings of glass, windows can significantly undermine the sustainability of a building. Most conventional windows allow heat to escape during cold weather, increasing heating costs, while, during hot weather, they allow sunlight to stream in, thus driving … [Read more...] about These water-filled windows can cool and heat buildings more sustainably