DataVXACS Energy LettersPaper
journal article·2026-04-10

Biomimetic, Robust, Recyclable Radiative Cooler via Water-Triggered Multistage Self-Assembly Toward Sustainable Agriculture

Zhulin Li, Xianxian Lin, Tiantian Yu, Yingying Guo, Shuaiming He, Chaoji Chen, Yiqiang Wu

ACS Energy Letters· Volume 11· Issue 4
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Source abstract

Abstract

Passive radiative cooling is an emerging strategy for thermal management, yet conventional petroleum-derived coolers suffer from limited cooling performance and poor mechanical robustness, while inorganic alternatives, though efficient, require complex and energy-intensive fabrication. Inspired by the rapid formation and exceptional strength of spider silk, we develop a simple water-triggered multistage self-assembly strategy to fabricate a robust, recyclable, and eco-friendly bioinspired radiative cooler (Biocooler). The Biocooler exhibits high solar reflectance (0.94) and emittance (0.91), yielding an average temperature reduction of 8 °C under direct sunlight. Additionally, it possesses a tensile strength of 76 MPa, surpassing most conventional radiative coolers, and enables over 90% material recovery via water-triggered reassembly. As a soil mulch, the Biocooler reduces soil temperature by 7.2 °C and improves water retention by 61%, effectively mitigating crop heat stress. With its scalable production and durability, the Biocooler offers significant promise for sustainable agriculture applications.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Thermal Radiation and Cooling Technologies · Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems · Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Woody Oil Resource Utilization, College of Materials and Energy

Central South University of Forestry and Technology

Hubei Biomass-Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology Key Laboratory, Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Emerging Functional Coating Materials, School of Resource and Environmental Sciences

Wuhan University

Funding

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities · National Natural Science Foundation of China · Hunan Provincial Forestry Science and Technology Innovation Project · Opening Fund of Cigarette Functional Material / Digital & Intelligent Flavoring Key laboratory of the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration · Yuelushan Laboratory Breeding Program · Autonomous Research Project of the State Key Laboratory of Woody Oil Resources Utilization, Central South University of Forestry and Technology

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