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Adaptive Metafilm With Scalable Phase-Tunable Emissivity for Energy-Efficient Thermal Management
James Laurence Ruello1, Sudip Kumar Pal1, Xiaoqing Yu1
1Department of Organic Materials and Textile Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|July 26, 2026
Summary
Adaptive composite metamaterials offer efficient thermal management by tuning radiative cooling. This study introduces a flexible adaptive metafilm that autonomously regulates infrared emissivity for net-zero-energy thermal regulation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Thermodynamics
Background:
- Adaptive composite metamaterials are crucial for efficient thermal management in enclosed systems.
- Controlling radiative cooling power is key for regulating heat emission under varying conditions.
- Existing solutions often lack scalability and durability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an adaptive metafilm (AMF) capable of autonomously tuning infrared (IR) emissivity near ambient temperature.
- To optimize the AMF composition and structure for maximal IR modulation.
- To demonstrate the AMF's potential for net-zero-energy thermal regulation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of the AMF using tungsten-doped vanadium dioxide (W-VO2) and indium tin oxide (ITO) nanoparticles embedded in a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix.
- Incorporation of a reflective aluminum back layer.
- Systematic optimization of filler loading (5 wt.% W-VO2 | 1 wt.% ITO) and film thickness (50 µm) for maximal IR modulation.
Main Results:
- An optimal AMF configuration achieved significant transmittance tunability (up to 40.25% in the 9-11 µm range).
- Bidirectional switching between heat-conserving and radiative-cooling modes was demonstrated across ambient temperature transitions at 40°C.
- The flexible AMF showed strong environmental stability and consistent thermoregulation without external power.
Conclusions:
- The developed adaptive metafilm offers a scalable and flexible platform for autonomous thermal regulation.
- This technology presents a practical approach to achieving net-zero-energy thermal management in diverse applications.
- The AMF's durability and performance highlight its potential for real-world implementation.
