Scientists Reveal Heat-Reducing Paint, Mimicking Sweat, to Maintenance-Free Cool Homes, No Air Conditioning Required, Regardless of Severe Heat Spell
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have created an experimental paint that mimics the human body's natural sweating process to keep buildings cool. This innovative cement-based paint, dubbed the "sweating paint," could potentially reduce summer cooling bills by nearly half[1].
The paint's porous, cement-based formulation holds water like sweat glands retain moisture and releases it gradually, enabling evaporative cooling even in humid conditions where traditional reflective paints are less effective[1]. This evaporation combined with the paint's high solar reflectance and thermal emission, which reflect about 88–92% of sunlight and emit up to 95% of absorbed heat, significantly lowers indoor temperatures[1].
The sweating paint's durability in tropical climates is another key factor. After two years of exposure to tropical weather, the paint retains its white colour and functionality, ensuring sustained cooling and reduced maintenance[1]. Nanoparticles and polymers enhance reflectivity, prevent cracking, and optimize moisture retention to maintain consistent evaporative cooling performance[1].
The implications for green architecture are significant. By cutting cooling energy demand by nearly half, this paint lowers carbon emissions associated with HVAC systems and promotes sustainable urban development in hot, humid regions[1][3].
Researchers focused on tropical climates, but the paint's performance in other environments remains to be seen. If follow-up studies confirm these results, sweating paint could be an easy way for city planners, architects, and homeowners to reduce energy bills[1].
The sweating paint's cooling mechanism is based on a unique combination of sunlight reflection, water evaporation, and radiative cooling. About 60% of energy use in buildings worldwide goes to keeping spaces cool[2]. The paint's combination of evaporative cooling, radiative cooling, and solar reflection is new for building paints.
The sweating paint helps fight the urban heat island effect, particularly in dense cities like Singapore and across the Middle East. The paint's cooling properties are particularly effective in humid climates, making it a promising candidate for buildings everywhere[1].
The findings of this research were published in the prestigious journal Science[1]. The potential energy savings and urban benefits of the sweating paint are generating buzz, with the possibility of making cities more comfortable and reducing energy bills.
However, the real-world costs of the paint over time have yet to be determined. Nevertheless, the sweating paint's integration of biomimicry with materials science provides a durable, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly cooling solution for buildings where conventional radiative cooling is challenged by humidity.
References:
[1] https://www.ntu.edu.sg/news/press-releases/new-paint-that-mimics-sweating-to-keep-buildings-cool [2] https://www.iea.org/reports/cooling-a-hot-planet [3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468004618300436
Scientists at NTU have developed an environmental-science innovation, the "sweating paint," which uses technology to mimic the human body's sweating process, thereby reducing summer cooling bills. This evaporative cooling mechanism, based on science, is particularly effective in tackling the urban heat island effect, especially in humid climates like Singapore and the Middle East. The study's results, published in Science, suggest that the paint's integration of biomimicry with materials science could provide a durable, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly solution for buildings, contributing significantly to climate-change mitigation efforts in urban development.
