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.
Claims23
A selective radiative cooling structure, the 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 ranging from 2% to 25% and the particles characterized by an average size ranging from 3 μm to 30 μm
- wherein the selective radiative cooling structure is characterized by an average emissivity ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 over the wavelength range 7 μm to 13 μm.
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, wherein the selectively emissive layer is in thermal communication with the body and the selective radiative cooling structure is characterized by an average emissivity ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 over the wavelength range 7 μm to 13 μm;
- b. transferring heat from the body to the selective radiative cooling structure;
- and
- c. radiating heat from selectively emissive layer of the selective radiative cooling structure.
The method of 12, wherein the body is a solar panel, the roof of an automobile, or a storage structure for cold energy, food or oil.
A cold collection system comprising
- a. a cold storage tank comprising a heat exchanger;
- b. a plurality of cold collection devices, each cold collection device configured to be in fluidic communication with the heat exchanger of the cold storage tank;
- and
- c. a plurality of selective radiative cooling structures, each selective radiative cooling structure being in thermal communication with the surface of one of the plurality of cold collection devices and each selective radiative cooling structure comprising a selectively emissive layer comprising a polymer, wherein the selectively emissive layer of each selective radiative cooling device is in thermal communication with one of the plurality of cold collection devices and each selective radiative cooling structure is characterized by an average emissivity ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 over the wavelength range 7 μm to 13 μm.
A method for making a selective radiative cooling structure, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. extruding a feed material comprising polymer through a die to form a film or sheet, wherein the polymer is characterized by an absorptivity of 0.6 to 1 in the range 5 μm to 50 μm;
- and
- b. cooling the film or sheet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.