Passive Radiative Cooling Metamaterial SkyCool Film Achieves Zero-Energy Building Cooling: Reflecting Sunlight by Day and Radiating Heat by Night

SkyCool Systems released its second-generation SkyCool radiative cooling film on November 25. The film consists of multiple layers of nanostructured polymer that simultaneously reflect 97% of solar radiation (visible and near-infrared bands) and radiate heat to space through the atmospheric window (8-13 micrometer band) as infrared radiation.

Test data shows that building rooftops covered with SkyCool film reach temperatures 8-10C below ambient under direct midday sunlight. Applying the film to building exteriors or air conditioning condensers can reduce cooling energy consumption by 40-60%. SkyCool chief scientist Professor Eli Goldstein said the second generation's key improvement is reducing film thickness from 500 to 120 micrometers, allowing it to be applied like a sticker directly onto existing building surfaces.

Dubai International Airport has deployed 12,000 square meters of SkyCool film on its terminal rooftops, estimating annual cooling cost savings of approximately $1.8 million. SkyCool film is priced at $35 per square meter with a payback period of about 2 years. Goldstein noted that global building cooling consumes approximately 15% of electricity, and if SkyCool film could be deployed on 50% of buildings in tropical regions, it would reduce global carbon emissions by approximately 2%.