Engineers at Buffalo University (NY) have recently designed a new system that will help to cool buildings in a crowded metropolitan city without consuming electricity. The new method is known as radiative or passive cooling because it does not require batteries or other sources of electricity to initiate cooling.

The system consists of alumina films, which are installed at the bottom of specially designed solar ‘shelters’ which help the building to keep cool. The system works in the following way: the films help its surroundings to be cool and absorb heat from the air. The films stay cool as the heat dissipates through thermal radiation, and can then cool down the environment. The innovation is made up of environmentally-friendly technology and will be useful for cities that are trying to deal with global warming issues. The system also has the ability to purposefully direct thermal emissions towards the sky rather than spread the emission in all directions.

The system works during the day as well as at night, but it is more efficient at night. During the day, when the sun is shining, the system requires additional materials to prevent rooftops from overheating. When placed outside during the day, the heat-emanating film and solar shelter reduce the temperature to a maximum of six degrees Celsius while at night, the minimum temperature reduction is 11 degrees Celsius.

The new technology has the potential to cause a significant impact on global energy consumption.