Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

New aerogel hits 104% solar reflectivity, boosts super radiative cooling
https://interestingengineering.com/ ^ | Jul 04, 2024 | Shubhangi Dua

Posted on 07/05/2024 4:40:18 PM PDT by Jonty30

Scientists have been striving to tackle the accelerating climate crisis by developing novel ways to develop sustainable cooling materials.

Recently, a team of researchers from Sichuan University in China has devised an aerogel composed of gelatin and DNA that surpassed 100 percent solar reflectance.

Additionally, an official statement by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) noted that the aerogel is biodegradable and provides exceptional radiative cooling.

Aerogel crossed over 100% solar reflectivity Jian-Wen Ma, the first author of the study researching and developing the aerogel material told Interesting Engineering that the material has a reflectivity of 104 percent in the visible region which is brought by the photoluminescence effect.

“The reflectivity is obtained by testing with a post-spectroscopic UV/VIS/NIR device,” he told IE.

“The luminescence of the aerogel originates from the tightly cross-linked network formed by gelatin and DNA, which allows the chromophores to come together and inhibit the non-radiative leaps of the system.”

In simple terms, the cooling material possesses the ability to reflect a lot of sunlight due to its special layered design and its unique way of glowing when exposed to light.

Not only is the material biodegradable but is also reparable, and recyclable, presenting an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cooling materials.

(Excerpt) Read more at interestingengineering.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Education; Science; Society
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-49 next last
To: Scrambler Bob

> Did you ever play with a “Super Ball”? They seemed to do that. <

I’ve seen that. They are always faked. The person either consciously or subconsciously adds a little push to the ball. And so the ball bounces higher than where it is released.

The First Law of Thermodynamics is clear on this. Energy cannot be created or destroyed. If the ball really did go higher than its original position on its own, it would be creating energy.

By the way, over the centuries many people have tried to disprove the First Law. Nothing wrong with that! But none have succeeded.


21 posted on 07/05/2024 5:29:29 PM PDT by Leaning Right (The steal is real.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Jonty30

Vax part 2?


22 posted on 07/05/2024 5:30:16 PM PDT by Colt1851Navy (What was wrong with Nixon?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Lol.

Thank you.

Your post is 106% better than the other posts.


23 posted on 07/05/2024 5:30:27 PM PDT by NoLibZone (Sadly,a ranchers right to shoot their dog is a bigger issue to conservatives than Christian rights.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Colt1851Navy

It’s just math.

For it to be greater than 100%, the shingles would have to be cooler than the ambient temperature. I think that is what is meant. If it’s 23C and the shingles are measured at 21%, they’ve passively cooled whatever it is that they are covering.

It’s possible that it is doing that. It’s just a question as to whether it is worth the cost and the negative. It’s going to cool in winter temperatures as well, so are you going to lose during winter when you may have to run your furnace longer to make up for the additional heat lost by these shingles?


24 posted on 07/05/2024 5:33:21 PM PDT by Jonty30 (He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Jonty30

“Maybe it’s engineered to reflect nearly 100% of direct light, but absorbs the cool to combine to 104%?”

Don’t quit your day job.


25 posted on 07/05/2024 5:37:07 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: TexasGator
I read the article…

Reflects on visible light wave lengths, not IR. Biodegradable means shorts life span with costs of removable and replacement.

The chinks think they want to use it for refrigeration somehow, but do not know how.

The chinks are looking for applications for their product, but have yet to find such.

Reading the description of “aerogel” product sounds like a evaporative panel (swamp cooler) that has water flowing over it.

26 posted on 07/05/2024 5:37:13 PM PDT by Deaf Smith (When a Texan takes his chances, chances will be taken that's for sure.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Chad C. Mulligan

> Quantum mechanics or something. <

I actually taught a freshman-level college course on Quantum Mechanics for a few years. And from what I gather from the article, perhaps the key is that the paint is biodegradable.

So maybe when the sunlight hits the paint, it breaks a few chemical bonds. And those bonds release energy. But such an arrangement must eventually come to an end - when all of the paint bonds have been broken.

Bottom line: I don’t think it’s a Quantum Mechanics thing. Instead, I think the ChiCom scientists are funnin’ with us again.


27 posted on 07/05/2024 5:40:25 PM PDT by Leaning Right (The steal is real.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Leaning Right

many people have tried to disprove the First Law.
= = =

And they are just not trying hard enough to prove it the right way, like Socialism.


28 posted on 07/05/2024 5:42:30 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (Running Rampant, and not endorsing nonsense; My pronoun is EXIT. And I am generally full of /S)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: TexasGator

I mean that. Obvious, it cannot reflect more than 100%, so it must be doing more than just reflecting.


29 posted on 07/05/2024 5:47:11 PM PDT by Jonty30 (He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Leaning Right

There definitely is a propaganda aspect to this article.
The Chinese showing another world achievement that nobody else has done. The reason why nobody else has done it is because nobody is allowed to do it because China is paying our politicians to make our countries ineffective.


30 posted on 07/05/2024 5:49:39 PM PDT by Jonty30 (He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Jonty30

Whose DNA is used?


31 posted on 07/05/2024 5:57:57 PM PDT by NetAddicted (MAGA2024)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NetAddicted

I’m guessing DNA from lightning bugs...


32 posted on 07/05/2024 5:59:39 PM PDT by chrisser (I lost my vaccine card in a tragic boating accident.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: NetAddicted

That is a relevant question when it comes to China.


33 posted on 07/05/2024 5:59:59 PM PDT by Jonty30 (He hunted a mammoth for me, just because I said I was hungry. He is such a good friend. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Deaf Smith

“Reflects on visible light wave lengths, not IR.”

These aerogels also reflect IR.


34 posted on 07/05/2024 6:08:27 PM PDT by TexasGator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Jonty30

A coating loaded with aerogel will not form a strong film. It will not take any abuse.


35 posted on 07/05/2024 6:16:43 PM PDT by mfish13 (Elections have Consequences.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Jonty30

Oh, great—more good news!


36 posted on 07/05/2024 6:17:30 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TexasGator
“has a reflectabily of 104 percent in the visible region” From the link.

Reflectavility is not the same as Reflects.

Visible region and not Visible spectrum?

37 posted on 07/05/2024 6:24:12 PM PDT by Deaf Smith (When a Texan takes his chances, chances will be taken that's for sure.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: The Great RJ

38 posted on 07/05/2024 6:26:46 PM PDT by Alas Babylon! (Repeal the Patriot Act; Abolish the DHS; reform FBI top to bottom!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Reno89519

Shame on anyone foolish enough to take China’s word that they developed something new, as opposed to stealing an idea from abroad or just making it up altogether.


39 posted on 07/05/2024 6:29:43 PM PDT by TonyM (Score Event)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

AIRPLANE PILOTS SHOULD BE CONCERNED


40 posted on 07/05/2024 6:30:58 PM PDT by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-49 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson