Scientists at the University of Chicago have unveiled a groundbreaking building material that possesses the remarkable ability to change its infrared color and heat-absorbing properties based on external temperatures, as reported by Freethink. This innovative material has the potential to usher in a new era of energy-efficient buildings and significantly reduce energy consumption associated with heating and air conditioning systems.
The material’s unique attributes stem from its composition, which includes a copper-based aqueous solution that strongly emits infrared radiation. Positioned between a metal foil and a transparent graphene sheet coated with platinum nanoparticles, this material boasts transformative capabilities that could revolutionize how we maintain indoor temperatures.
When a negative charge is applied to the graphene electrode, it attracts positive copper ions from the solution, leading to the formation of a thin, solid copper film on the graphene surface. In this state, the material becomes highly effective at absorbing up to 90% of incoming infrared radiation, essentially entering a “heating mode.” Remarkably, this shift requires only a fraction of the energy it conserves.
However, the true innovation lies in the material’s ability to effortlessly transition back to its “cooling mode.” By reversing the charges on the electrodes, the deposited copper layer is stripped away from the graphene, returning the material to its original state. In this form, the liquid solution absorbs just 7% of incoming infrared radiation, thereby achieving a cooling effect. By adjusting the charge differential between the two electrodes, the researchers can finely control the transparency of the deposited copper layer, allowing for precise modulation of the material’s heat-absorbing properties.
The potential applications of this “chameleon-like” building material are vast and hold great promise. Retrofitting existing buildings with this technology could significantly reduce energy consumption associated with heating and cooling systems. This not only leads to lower utility bills but also translates into a substantial reduction in carbon emissions, contributing to the fight against climate change.
As the global community grapples with the challenges of climate change and sustainable living, innovations like this “chameleon-like” building material offer hope and a clear path toward more energy-efficient, eco-friendly construction. This technology could revolutionize the way we think about heating and cooling in buildings, making a substantial contribution to the global effort to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
The “chameleon-like” building material developed by the University of Chicago’s researchers represents a significant leap forward in the quest for energy efficiency and sustainability. As this innovation continues to evolve and finds its way into practical applications, it holds the potential to redefine how we build, retrofit, and maintain our structures, reducing our carbon footprint and creating a more environmentally conscious future.
Resources:
1.https://www.freethink.com/energy/electrochromism
2.https://bing.com/search?q=This+Chameleon+material+can+heat+or+cool+house+on+demand
3.https://www.futurity.org/color-changing-buildings-2865152/
5.https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/chameleon-like-building-material