CoolGlass: Mass producible and durable radiative cooling glass panels
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Department Name: Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Abstract
The problem: Indoor space cooling is a fundamental means for achieving good health and wellbeing due to its direct correlation with human comfort, increased productivity levels and concomitant health benefits. Such is its impact on people's lives that meeting all 17 UN's Sustainable Development Goals rests, to a greater or lesser extent, on the timely proliferation of green cooling technologies, as was recently argued. Nonetheless, cooling has a dark side, being one of the most energy intensive and highly polluting processes associated with human activity. The statistics are staggering; the energy consumed by air-conditioners and electric fans accounts for ~20% of the total electricity used in buildings worldwide and contribute >1.2 GT of CO2 emissions/year.
The solution: In order to resolve the cooling conundrum, I am putting forward a novel radiative cooling technology. The proposed solution leverages the infinite heat capacity of the cold Universe, converting it in essence into an inexhaustible reservoir for the waste heat of the built, transport, and other manmade environments on earth. The developed products in CoolGlass will take the form of radiative cooling panels made of thin, low-iron glass sheets. The main advantages that CoolGlass technology brings about are: i) Full compatibility with industrial, mass manufacturing methods. ii) Unrivalled durability. iii) Superior cooling capacity compared with other competing radiative cooling technologies. iv) Design flexibility, and, v) excellent sustainability prospects.
Overall, CoolGlass combines zero input-energy and zero CO2-emissions (during usage period) with cost-efficacy, low-maintenance
and short payback times and constitutes a disrupting, green, space cooling solution that can significantly mitigate electricity
consumption from cooling systems.
The solution: In order to resolve the cooling conundrum, I am putting forward a novel radiative cooling technology. The proposed solution leverages the infinite heat capacity of the cold Universe, converting it in essence into an inexhaustible reservoir for the waste heat of the built, transport, and other manmade environments on earth. The developed products in CoolGlass will take the form of radiative cooling panels made of thin, low-iron glass sheets. The main advantages that CoolGlass technology brings about are: i) Full compatibility with industrial, mass manufacturing methods. ii) Unrivalled durability. iii) Superior cooling capacity compared with other competing radiative cooling technologies. iv) Design flexibility, and, v) excellent sustainability prospects.
Overall, CoolGlass combines zero input-energy and zero CO2-emissions (during usage period) with cost-efficacy, low-maintenance
and short payback times and constitutes a disrupting, green, space cooling solution that can significantly mitigate electricity
consumption from cooling systems.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Ioannis Papakonstantinou (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | Radiative cooling is a new emerging technology to address the exploding demand for cooling and concomitant electricity consumption and CO2 emissions. So far, most technologies rely on either polymer films, paints, or, multilayer inorganic films. A solution based on glass, a ubiquitous material with a well established industrial manufacturing method is lacking. The benefits of the glass compared to organic alternatives is better mechanical durability, UV-stability and chemical inertness making glass one of the most durable manmade materials. This project has addressed this challenge in a scalable way by combining commercial glass with industrially available processes. During this project we have created a new radiative cooling material that is scalable, cost effective, durable and industrially compatible. |
| Exploitation Route | We are discussing with Engie (utility company) the possibility of creating radiative cooling panels (a concept closely resembling solar panels) to cool down circulated water. Such a system can be connected with an AC unit or refrigerator, significantly improving their efficiency. Conversations with NSG/Pilkington are also held for the possibility of creating radiatively cooled windows for buildings and vehicles. Finally, AGC glass was interested in radiatively cooled glass to regulate the temperature in greenhouses. |
| Sectors | Energy Environment |
| Description | Together with UCLB - UCLs commercial arm we have filed for a patent in radiatively cooled glass which is under review. Patent application no: PCT/EP2024/074893 |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |