Passive Cooling Material: Low-Cost Alternative to Air Conditioning That Reduces Heat by 8.4°C

Passive Cooling Material: Low-Cost Alternative to Air Conditioning That Reduces Heat by 8.4°C

  August 30, 2025    PARTHASARATHI PANDA

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🌡️ Say Goodbye to Air Conditioning: A New Low-Cost Cooling Material

As global temperatures rise and electricity demand soars, scientists have developed a groundbreaking solution that could change how we cool our homes. A team from Dalian University of Technology (China) and Pennsylvania State University (USA) has created a low-cost, electricity-free material that can reduce indoor temperatures by up to 8.4°C without the use of air conditioners, fans, or electricity.

🔬 How the Cooling Material Works

This material is based on PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate), a common type of plastic. It is designed in 2.1 mm thick sheets, which can be applied to the exterior walls or roofs of buildings.

1. Daytime Function:

   • Reflects 96% of sunlight (visible + short-wave infrared radiation).

   • Prevents the building from absorbing excess heat.

2. Nighttime Function:

   • Emits mid-infrared radiation directly into space.

   • Its porous structure (similar to human skin pores) enhances cooling efficiency.

The combined effect ensures a passive cooling system that keeps indoor temperatures significantly lower without consuming any power.

Passive Cooling Material: Low-Cost Alternative to Air Conditioning That Reduces Heat by 8.4°C

✅ Key Benefits

• No Electricity Needed: No fans, compressors, or refrigerants.

• Eco-Friendly: Avoids harmful chemicals like HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons) and CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) used in ACs.

• Low-Cost: Easy and affordable to manufacture.

• Proven Effectiveness: Field tests showed up to 8.2°C temperature reduction in a test box under direct sunlight.

📏 Size and Specifications

• Thickness: 2.1 mm

• Standard Dimensions (Commercial PMMA Sheets):

  • 1.22 m × 2.44 m (4 ft × 8 ft)

  • 1.22 m × 1.22 m (4 ft × 4 ft)

• Can be cut to fit: Exterior walls, rooftops, or other surfaces.

💰 Pricing (Estimated)

Currently, the exact market cost for this specialized cooling sheet has not been officially disclosed. However, based on similar PMMA sheet pricing, the estimate is as follows:

• Per Square Meter: ₹450 – ₹600 (standard quality)

• Premium Grade: Up to ₹750 per square meter

• For 1.22 m × 2.44 m Sheet (≈ 2.97 m²): ₹1,335 – ₹2,228 per sheet

This makes it an affordable and cost-effective alternative compared to installing and running air conditioners.

🏠 Applications

• Residential Homes: Ideal for hot regions with frequent power cuts.

• Schools & Hospitals: Ensures safe and cool environments without high electricity bills.

• Urban Areas: Reduces the urban heat island effect and overall energy consumption.

🌍 Global Relevance

With climate change leading to frequent and extreme heatwaves, passive cooling technology like this offers a sustainable and scalable solution. Unlike ACs that increase greenhouse gas emissions and strain electricity grids, these sheets provide a climate-friendly alternative.

📘 Abbreviations and Full Forms

• PMMA: Polymethyl Methacrylate

• HFCs: Hydrofluorocarbons

• CFCs: Chlorofluorocarbons

📝 Conclusion

This innovation could be a game-changer for cooling in tropical and hot climates like India. By combining affordability, sustainability, and efficiency, these 2.1 mm cooling sheets might soon become a common feature in homes, schools, and offices. Instead of relying on expensive, power-hungry air conditioning systems, people can keep their homes cooler by up to 8.4°C naturally.

In the coming years, this technology could play a crucial role in reducing electricity demand, fighting climate change, and making our living spaces more comfortable and sustainable.