A recent study by Dr. Jin Gu, Kang and his team at the Nanophotonics Research Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has brought about a significant breakthrough in the field of radiative cooling. The team has successfully developed a colorful radiation-cooling liquid crystal material that not only cools without external power but also emits color in the process. This innovative work has the potential to revolutionize the cooling industry and pave the way for eco-friendly cooling technologies.
Radiative cooling is a technology that releases infrared radiation as heat through the atmospheric window to reduce temperatures, all without the need for external power sources. This makes it an attractive option as a next-generation eco-friendly cooling technology that can supplement traditional air conditioners. However, traditional radiative cooling materials for daytime use are typically white to reduce sunlight absorption, limiting their aesthetic appeal for use in buildings or vehicles. The development of colored radiative cooling materials that achieve both cooling efficiency and aesthetic appeal has become a recent focus of research.
The Innovative Solution
In the past, colored radiative cooling materials have faced challenges in achieving both cooling performance and distinct coloration. However, Dr. Jin Gu Kang’s team has overcome this obstacle by fabricating bent spiral liquid crystal photonic crystals. By utilizing a commercial liquid crystal material (LC242) and aligning it into a spiral structure, the team was able to create colored photonic crystals that emit vivid colors unlike traditional photonic crystals. This innovative approach not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the material but also improves its cooling performance.
The colored radiation-cooling liquid crystal material developed by Dr. Jin Gu Kang’s team has significant implications for various applications. By combining this material with a transparent film and a metallic thin film, the researchers were able to achieve a temperature reduction of about 30.8°C compared to conventional colored paint and 3.1°C lower than ambient air in the middle of the day. This material has the potential to reduce air conditioning consumption in buildings and vehicles while providing power-free cooling for outdoor leisure items and military tents.
The development of colored radiation-cooling liquid crystal materials represents a significant advancement in the field of cooling technologies. The innovative approach taken by Dr. Jin Gu Kang and his team has the potential to revolutionize the way we cool our buildings, vehicles, and outdoor spaces. With its simple fabrication process and low cost, this material holds great promise for the future of eco-friendly cooling solutions.
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