Radiative cooling structures and systems
AssigneesThe Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate, University of Wyoming
InventorsRonggui Yang, Xiaobo Yin, Gang Tan, Dongliang Zhao, Yaoguang Ma, Yao Zhai
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Abstract
Polymer-based selective radiative cooling structures are provided which include a selectively emissive layer of a polymer or a polymer matrix composite material. Exemplary selective radiative cooling structures are in the form of a sheet, film or coating. Also provided are methods for removing heat from a body by selective thermal radiation using polymer-based selective radiative cooling structures.
Claims27
A method for removing heat from a body by selective thermal radiation, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. placing a selective radiative cooling structure in thermal communication with a surface of the body, the selective radiative cooling structure comprising:
- a selectively emissive layer comprising a polymer and a plurality of dielectric particles dispersed in the polymer, the volume percentage of the dielectric particles in the selectively emissive layer selected from the range of 1% to 25% and the dielectric particles characterized by an average size range from 3 μm to 30 μm;
- and
- a reflective layer that is a silver film characterized by an average thickness from 20 nanometers to 300 nanometers, wherein the selectively emissive layer is provided on the reflective layer;
- wherein the selectively emissive layer is in thermal communication with the body, the selective radiative cooling structure is characterized by an average emissivity ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 over the wavelength range 7 μm to 14 μm, and the selectively emissive layer has a transmissivity of 0.7 to 1 over a solar wavelength range of 0.3 μm to 3 μm;
- wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a 4-methyl-1-pentene polymer, a 4-methyl-1-pentene copolymer, and polyvinyl fluoride;
- and
- wherein the dielectric particles comprise silicon dioxide (SiO2);
- b. transferring heat from the body to the selective radiative cooling structure;
- and
- c. radiating heat from the selectively emissive layer of the selective radiative cooling structure.
The method of 1, wherein the body is a solar panel, the roof or window of an automobile, the roof or window of a building, or a cold storage structure for energy, food, oil or other commodity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.