A Modern Roman‐Inspired Concrete with Daytime Radiative Cooling Capacity
Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract Addressing global warming through the modernization of buildings and urban areas is a major challenge. Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) materials offer potential solutions, but none have effectively replaced concrete's dominant role in urban environments. Here, a Roman‐inspired concrete with PDRC capabilities is presented, combining high solar reflectance (≈0.95) and long‐wave infrared (LWIR) emittance (≈0.91). It delivers cooling powers over 45 W m − 2 under average solar intensities of 850 W m − 2 without a convection shield. On hot days (above 30°C), it stays 2°C cooler than the surrounding air under solar irradiance up to 985 W m − 2 . Simulations predict this concrete can reduce energy use and CO 2 emissions by ≈50% in hot regions and lower urban surface temperatures by up to 10°C during heat waves. This breakthrough offers a cheap, scalable and sustainable solution for energy efficiency and climate resilience.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Thermal Radiation and Cooling Technologies · Urban Heat Island Mitigation · Building Energy and Comfort Optimization
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Centro de Física de Materiales (CFM) CSIC‐UPV/EHU) San Sebastián 20018 Spain
Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) San Sebastián 20018 Spain
Department of Electrical Electronic and Communications Engineering Public University of Navarre (UPNA) Pamplona 31006 Spain
Institute of Smart Cities (ISC) Public University of Navarre (UPNA) Pamplona 31006 Spain
Department of Engineering Public University of Navarra (UPNA) Pamplona 31006 Spain
TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) Derio 48160 Spain
KU Leuven, Faculty of Engineering Science Department of Architecture Kasteelpark Arenberg 1 – box 2431 Leuven 3001 Belgium
KU Leuven, Department Earth and Environmental Sciences Celestijnenlaan 200E Leuven 3001 Belgium
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