Researchers from the City University of Hong Kong have introduced an innovative passive radiative cooling (PRC) material known as "cooling ceramic," showcasing high-performance optical properties for energy-free and refrigerant-free cooling generation. Published in Science, their findings highlight its suitability for various applications, including construction, owing to its cost-effectiveness, durability, and versatility.

This cooling ceramic aims to reduce building thermal loads and deliver stable cooling performance, thereby enhancing overall energy efficiency. Unlike existing PRC options facing limitations such as high costs and compatibility issues, this material boasts advanced optical properties and robust applicability.

Professor Edwin Tso Chi-yan, one of the researchers, emphasizes the key features of cooling ceramic, highlighting its resistance to UV degradation due to its alumina composition. Additionally, it exhibits exceptional fire resistance, surpassing most polymer-based or metal-based PRC materials.

The cooling ceramic's capacity to address both high-performance PRC requirements and practical applications in real-life settings sets it apart. Experimentation revealed that applying this material to a house roof could yield over 20% electricity savings for space cooling, showcasing its potential to reduce reliance on traditional cooling methods and offer a sustainable solution to tackle electricity grid overload, greenhouse gas emissions, and urban heat islands.

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