PolyCool: PoC Polysiloxane Radiative Cooling Paints for the Decarbonisation of Cooling in the Built and Transport Environments
Funder: UK Research and Innovation - EU Underwrite
Lead partner: UCL
Lead academic: Prof Ioannis Papakonstantinou
Project amount: £115,384
Research themes: Sustainable Technologies
Project period: 1 September 2022 - 13 May 2025
Project description: Space cooling is a fundamental means to attain peoples’ Good Health and Well Being, yet it is one of the most energy intensive and highly polluting processes associated with human activity; the energy consumed by air-conditioners and electric fans account for ~20% of the total electricity usage in buildings around the world today and contribute over 1.2GT of CO2 emissions per year. Likewise, on hot days air-condition may be responsible for 40% of a car’s energy consumption. To combat climate change and accelerate the transition towards carbon neutral economies, a paramount target of EU’s Green Deal, energy efficient and sustainable indoors and vehicle cooling technologies are imminently required.
PolyCool’s overarching objective is to develop zero-energy input, zero-emissions radiative cooling solutions, which also combine cost efficacy and low-maintenance for commercial, industrial and residential buildings. With proper modifications, the technology will also be able to be deployed in the automotive and more broadly in the transportation industry as well. The proposed technology is leveraging the infinite heat capacity of the cold Universe, converting it in essence into an inexhaustible heatsink for the thermal radiation emitted by the built environment and vehicles on Earth. Crucially, it is completely passive and does not need require electric pumps, fans or coolers to operate. PolyCool system will be able to provide a cooling power of >100W/m2, able to cover at minimum 50% of a typical European residency’s cooling needs. The key objectives of this project are; i) Develop a large -scale prototype (>20cmx20cm). ii) Perform extensive testing of the prototype in the field, in various geographical locations and under various climatic conditions. iii) Consolidate a strong intellectual property position and, iv) develop a commercialisation roadmap to translate RadCool technology from the lab benchtop to the market.
