Photo Credit: Penn State University
Tech Xplore reports that researchers at Penn State University have developed a method to harness solar energy and the incredibly cold temperatures of space to create both renewable energy and cooling capabilities.
The results of the researchers were published in the scientific journal “Cell Reports Physical Science” under the title “Simultaneous subambient daytime radiative cooling and photovoltaic energy production from the same area.”
The method developed by Penn State researchers collects the sun’s energy in a solar cell (like normal) while also removing heat from the Earth using a process called “radiative cooling.” This immediately sends infrared light directly into space (what researchers call “cold space”) without heating the surrounding air.
As the scientists explain, combining solar harvesting with radiative cooling has created a method that is greater than the sum of its parts—working in tandem to create both electricity and cooling capacity for things like refrigerators or air conditioners.
“Based on these experimental results, using the two harvesters together has the potential to significantly outperform the bare solar cell, a key renewable energy technology,” said Linxiao Zhu, an associate professor of mechanical engineering who led the research.
“Day and night, radiative cooling works like a natural air conditioner 24/7,” said Pramit Ghosh, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering at Penn State and first author of the study. “Even on a hot day, the radiation cooler is cold to the touch… At the same time and in the same place, we can use these renewable resources together 24 hours a day.”
Sign up for our newsletter Good news, green hacks and the latest cool clean tech – straight to your inbox every week!
Creating more sustainable ways to create cooling capacity is critical to our clean energy future – air conditioners alone are expected to cause more than 100 million metric tons (110 million tons) of air pollution in some parts of the world between now and 2050. As our planet continues to overheat, the use of air conditioners will continue to increase.
Since telling people to turn off their air conditioners and walk in the heat isn’t a very reasonable or realistic requirement (some governments are), it’s important that we continue to develop and invest in new, more efficient and sustainable versions of this technology. . A new technology from Penn State researchers does just that.
Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the hottest new developments improve our lives and to save our planet.