Amidst a rapidly warming world, it is vital to effectively cool our homes during hot summer months with less energy usage and decreased greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet carbon reduction goals.
A group of Chinese scientists has developed a groundbreaking material derived from biomass and DNA, the building blocks of life.
This aerogel has an impressive capability to lower ambient temperatures by 16 degrees Celsius on sunny days, even under strong solar radiation.
By combining DNA and gelatin into a structured aerogel, the researchers have created a material that converts absorbed ultraviolet light into visible light, achieving over 100 percent solar reflectance and exceptional radiative cooling.
The adoption of this biopolymer-based radiative cooling material can help alleviate environmental pollution, as detailed in a study published in the journal Science.
Furthermore, these aerogels, which can be efficiently produced on a large scale through water welding, exhibit remarkable repairability, recyclability, and biodegradability.
According to Zhao Haibo from Sichuan University, the lead author of the paper, this aerogel material has the potential to revolutionize the energy efficiency of urban architecture as an external protective layer.
The study's simulations have shown a significant decrease in annual energy usage for cooling in buildings across various modeled cities.
Zhao also stated that this novel aerogel shows promise in substantially reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption, paving the way for innovative and sustainable radiative cooling materials in the future.
China has committed to peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.