Background and Current Practice

In Singapore, cooling is a major driver of electricity consumption and demand. For example, air conditioning consumes a high percentage of energy in buildings.

Building owners have been trying to implement passive cooling methods that do not consume additional energy, such as tinting windows with heat- and UV-blocking films, to control heat gain and heat dissipation in a building. 

Opportunities and Key Challenges

For the benefit of environmental sustainability, we are looking for radiative cooling solutions that can be applied to the external surface of a building, such as concrete walls, glass facades and windows. The solution should be most effective during the day, when there are high levels of solar radiation and therefore, greater demand for cooling. Nano-materials are desirable due to their high potential efficiency.

The radiative cooling solution should have the following characteristics:
 

• Radiates infrared waves from solar radiation to outer space and prevent heat gain in buildings;
   

• Can be applied on different surfaces (with concrete, steel and glass in particular); and
   

• Is suitable for tropical climates.

Expected Outcomes

The solution is applied to different surfaces, such as concrete, steel and glass, and reduces heat gain in the building. Importantly, the method used to apply the solution (including the curing process, if needed) must be practical. The cost should also be reasonable.