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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
07:18
Experimental System of Solar Adsorption Refrigeration with Concentrated Collector
Published on: October 18, 2017
Dynamic evaporative and radiative cooling for efficient year-round energy savings
Zhengui Zhou1, Ablimit Aili2, Shancheng Wang1
1Department of Electronic Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Science Advances
|July 3, 2026
Summary
This study presents a dynamic evaporative and radiative cooling (DERC) device for year-round thermal management. The DERC device offers significant energy savings and CO2 emission reductions compared to existing dynamic radiative cooling techniques.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Energy
- Thermal Engineering
Background:
- Electricity-free radiative cooling (RC) is crucial for reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
- Limitations of current RC include seasonal performance issues and negative winter impacts, offsetting annual savings.
- Need for advanced cooling solutions for year-round thermal management in diverse climates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel dynamic evaporative and radiative cooling (DERC) device.
- To achieve maximized cooling in summer and dynamic thermal management throughout the year.
- To enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint compared to existing technologies.
Main Methods:
- Development of a DERC device with adaptive regulation of water evaporation.
- Modulation of solar absorptivity (ΔAsol = 87%) and broadband emissivity (ΔεBroadband = 63%).
- Theoretical analysis and real-time experimental validation of the DERC device's performance.
Main Results:
- The DERC device demonstrates superior energy efficiency over current dynamic radiative cooling (DRC) techniques.
- Significant primary energy savings exceeding 40% were simulated.
- Substantial CO2 emission reductions were achieved in comparison to DRC devices.
Conclusions:
- The DERC device represents a significant conceptual advancement in cooling technology.
- It offers a viable solution for global energy savings and emission reductions.
- The technology paves the way for more sustainable thermal management systems.
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