Nanoporous Polymer Matrix Composites for Daytime Radiative Cooling
The Problem
Heat waves are a very common weather-event in the United States and elsewhere, especially in urban areas where the urban heat-island effect is strong. Heat waves not only create public health hazards but also strain grid resources while cooling demands are elevated. Since active cooling measures strain energy resources, and current passive cooling measures are not yet effective enough to alleviate the problem, new cooling solutions are needed to combat this problem.
The Solution
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have developed a novel system which integrates moisture wicking material (promoting significant capillary action) into stormwater infrastructure to give existing infrastructure greatly increased evaporative and cooling capabilities. This approach will help result in diminished health risk from heat waves, as well as diminished load on local energy grid infrastructure during times of peak cooling when active cooling solutions are utilized.
Benefits
| Benefit |
|---|
| Up to 3-5 times greater cooling and evaporative capability than currently existing cooling approaches. |
| Utilizes existing infrastructure in novel ways to reduce adoption-cost. |
More Information
- Emma Vetland
- Assistant Technology Manager, Multi Campus Office
- 865-974-1811 | evetland@tennessee.edu
- UTRF Reference ID: 24136
- Patent Status:
Innovators
Jon Hathaway
Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tickle College of Engineering, UT Knoxville
Dr. Hathaway received his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University in 2010 where he studied transport and removal of indicator bacteria in urban stormwater runoff. Following a research fellowship at Monash University in Australia and several successful years at one of the nation’s leading ecological design and consulting firms, he joined the faculty of the University of Tennessee. His research primarily focuses on sustainable urban water, green infrastructure, anthropogenic influences on the environment, and urban pollutants.
Read more about Jon Hathaway