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Chinese scientists have developed a new technology that could cut energy bills in half by cooling people directly instead of the entire room.
The “personalized heat management device” cools people through mid-infrared radiation without the need to adjust the air.
In testing the artificial skin, scientists in China and Hong Kong found that the device could reduce skin temperature by 7.3 degrees Celsius in summer using about half the energy required by a standard air-conditioning unit.
The new device takes an entirely different approach to traditional air conditioners, which cool the air in an entire room or building.
It uses mid-infrared radiation to directly cool people, reducing the need for energy-intensive air treatment processes such as pre-cooling, dehumidification and re-heating.
the study, Published in Cell Report Physical Sciences A study published Thursday said the device could save up to 50 percent of the energy typically used by traditional air conditioning systems, potentially leading to savings on utility bills.
As the climate crisis causes global temperatures to break records, many countries are experiencing longer heat waves, increasing energy demand and air conditioning bills. This new technology addresses this challenge by offering a cooling method that is not only energy efficient, but also potentially safer against airborne diseases like COVID-19.
The device works by emitting mid-infrared radiation directly onto the human body, creating a cooling effect without relying on circulating air. This approach significantly reduces energy consumption, and the device achieves a radiative cooling energy density of up to 220 W/m², more than double that of current systems.
The researchers built their prototype using a thermoelectric cooler and polyethylene film, which when combined create an ultra-cool surface that emits infrared radiation. This radiation is absorbed by the skin, cooling the body without the need for air movement.
To prevent moisture accumulation on the cooling surface, the researchers incorporated a polyethylene film as a barrier, allowing the device to maintain its performance in humid environments.
This anti-condensation feature allows your device to operate efficiently for a long period of time.
