April 16, 2013 at 13:44Stanford invented fully passive air conditioning
A team of scientists from Stanford University has developed a composite material based on quartz and silicon carbide, which is able to almost completely reflect sunlight and at the same time emit infrared waves in the so-called " transparency windows " of the atmosphere - ranges in which atmospheric gases and water vapor are practically transparent for thermal radiation. Panels of this material, located on the roof of a building or car, are able to dissipate about 100 watts of heat per square meter of surface on a sunny day. Based on this material, air conditioning and cooling systems can be created with zero electricity consumption and the complete absence of moving parts.
If before radiation cooling systems
were effective mainly at night, and only with low humidity and clear skies, the new material retains the ability to radiate heat in a wide range of atmospheric conditions.
According to researchers, if you cover with such panels only 10% of the roof of a residential building, this will reduce electricity consumption for air conditioning in the summer by 35%. Such passive air conditioners can be used both in industrial buildings, data centers and offices, as well as in remote areas with electricity shortages. If their cost in mass production is low enough, they can be a real salvation for third world countries.
In addition, such radiators will help combat the greenhouse effect globally. If energy costs for heating are constantly falling due to modern heat-insulating materials and energy-saving technologies in the rich northern countries, then with air conditioning the opposite is true - the need for it is felt much more in developing countries, mainly located in hot climates. Rapid economic growth entails a sharp increase in energy costs for air conditioning. So, in Mumbai, up to 40% of electricity is spent on cooling. According to some estimates, Saudi Arabia will burn more oil than export in 15 years , largely due to the energy costs of conditioning.
were effective mainly at night, and only with low humidity and clear skies, the new material retains the ability to radiate heat in a wide range of atmospheric conditions.
According to researchers, if you cover with such panels only 10% of the roof of a residential building, this will reduce electricity consumption for air conditioning in the summer by 35%. Such passive air conditioners can be used both in industrial buildings, data centers and offices, as well as in remote areas with electricity shortages. If their cost in mass production is low enough, they can be a real salvation for third world countries.
In addition, such radiators will help combat the greenhouse effect globally. If energy costs for heating are constantly falling due to modern heat-insulating materials and energy-saving technologies in the rich northern countries, then with air conditioning the opposite is true - the need for it is felt much more in developing countries, mainly located in hot climates. Rapid economic growth entails a sharp increase in energy costs for air conditioning. So, in Mumbai, up to 40% of electricity is spent on cooling. According to some estimates, Saudi Arabia will burn more oil than export in 15 years , largely due to the energy costs of conditioning.