A Cutting-Edge Reflective Cement Transforms Cooling in Construction
With rising global temperatures, the quest for novel methods to cool buildings grows. An advancement in cement technology could greatly lessen the reliance on air conditioning by diverting a greater amount of sunlight away from building exteriors. Created by researchers at Southeast University in Nanjing, China, this revolutionary “supercool” cement holds the potential to combat climate change while lowering energy usage in constructed environments.
Conventional cement, commonly utilized in contemporary architecture, absorbs nearly 70% of the solar radiation it encounters, consequently warming surfaces and their surrounding areas. This increases the urban heat island phenomenon and intensifies the dependence on air conditioning, resulting in elevated energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Guo Lu and her research team have introduced a remedy to this challenge with a cement that significantly reflects sunlight and stays cooler than the air temperature during peak sunlight hours.
The essence of this innovation is its formulation. In contrast to traditional cement, the new substance is formulated by amalgamating calcium, aluminum, and silicon-based minerals with water. This blend is molded, covered with a uniquely textured polymer film, and deprived of air to encourage the formation of reflective crystals within tiny cavities on its surface.
These physical characteristics ensure the cement is not only highly reflective but also an efficient emitter of infrared radiation, maintaining a cooler temperature. Experiments on this cement demonstrated that, even under peak sunlight, the surface remained 5°C cooler than the surrounding air temperature of 38°C, a significant difference compared to commercial cement, which can reach temperatures of 59°C in similar conditions.
This innovative material is crafted to be durable and adaptable. It possesses excellent adhesion qualities, making it fit for use on a variety of surfaces, including concrete, steel, and ceramics. This robustness and functionality have garnered accolades from experts like Edwin Chi-Yan Tso from the City University of Hong Kong, who emphasized that the cement’s versatility presents unmatched opportunities for practical applications and could foster sustainable urban growth.
The ecological implications of this highly reflective cement are remarkable. When utilized, it is projected to cut carbon emissions by nearly 2900kg per tonne of cement throughout its 70-year lifespan. The research team is diligently working to make this material readily accessible, having already set up a production line in China for the manufacture of its raw materials.
Beyond cooling, ongoing innovations aim to adapt the material for dual purposes—being reflective in warm conditions while retaining heat during colder seasons. Such developments could profoundly influence the future of construction, promoting a more sustainable building design approach that addresses urban heating and minimizes global carbon footprints.