Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2026

Comparative Study of Simulation of Temperature Rise in Ring Main Unit
Published on: July 5, 2024
Template-Assisted 3D-PVDF Nanonetworks for Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling
Amaia Iglesias-Elcano1, Luis Moreno-Sanabria1, Marisol Martín-González1
1Instituto de Micro y Nanotecnología, IMN-CNM, CSIC (CEI UAM+CSIC) Tres Cantos Madrid Spain.
Abstract:
Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC), which dissipates heat through infrared emission to outer space while reflecting solar radiation, represents a promising strategy for reducing energy consumption in cooling technologies. Here, a template-assisted strategy is introduced to fabricate nanostructured polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) radiative coolers via polymer infiltration into three-dimensional anodic aluminum oxide (3D-AAO) nanoporous templates. The optical properties and cooling performance of the 3D-PVDF nanostructures are investigated with and without the AAO template. To tune the crystalline phase composition and its influence on optical response, three post-infiltration cooling methods-natural, fast, and ultra-fast-are applied. A UV treatment further enhances solar reflectance through photo-oxidation-induced whitening. The optimized free-standing 3D-PVDF obtained via ultra-fast cooling exhibits an average solar reflectance of 82.4% (0.32-2.5 μm) and an infrared emissivity of 96.7% within the 8-13 μm atmospheric window. These properties correspond to a theoretical daytime cooling power density of 182.3 W m-2 under a solar irradiance of 1000 W m-2. Outdoor measurements demonstrate a daytime temperature reduction of 12.9°C under peak solar irradiance of 962 W m-2 relative to an empty reference box. This work establishes a scalable strategy for engineering three-dimensional polymer nanostructures for high-performance radiative cooling and energy-efficient building technologies.
Related Concept Videos
Mechanism of heat transfer
Mechanisms of Heat Transfer
Conduction, accounting for approximately 3% of body heat loss at rest, is the process of exchanging heat between molecules of two materials in direct contact. This can result in both heat loss and gain. For instance, when the body is submerged in water, which conducts heat 20 times more effectively than air, it can either lose or gain significant heat.
Mechanisms of Heat Transfer I