Passive daytime radiative cooling —also called passive radiative cooling, daytime passive radiative cooling, radiative sky cooling, photonic radiative cooling, and terrestrial radiative cooling—is the
PDRC can lower temperatures with zero energy consumption or pollution by radiating heat into outer space. Widespread application has been proposed as a solution to global warming.
PDRC maximizes outgoing infrared radiation (shown in orange) and minimizes the absorption of solar radiation (shown in yellow).
A scalable colored PDRC coating using bismuth oxide (pictured) was developed by Zhai et al.
A photonic radiator film based on the longicorn beetle Neocerambyx gigas exhibited 95% solar irradiance and 96% emissivity.
The urban heat island effect is a meteorological and climatological phenomenon in which urban areas experience significantly warmer temperatures than surrounding rural areas. The temperature differenc
Passive daytime radiative cooling
…been proposed as a method of reducing temperature increases caused by greenhouse gases by reducing the energy needed for air conditioning, reducing the urban heat island effect, and human body temperatures. PDRC can aid systems that are more efficient at lower temperatures, such as photovoltaic systems, dew collection devices…
Example of dense urban living without green spaces which leads to a pronounced urban heat island effect (Milan, Italy)
Example of an inner city green space, which can reduce the urban heat island effect (Central Park, New York)
High-rise buildings of Manhattan, an example of dense urban living
Example of urbanization: Dubai