As heatwaves become more frequent across the world, researchers are looking for new ways to keep buildings cool without increasing electricity use. Scientists at the University of Sydney, working with startup Dewpoint Innovations, have developed an experimental "smart paint" that could help tackle both rising temperatures and water shortages.
According to the researchers, the coating can reflect up to 97% of sunlight, stay significantly cooler than conventional surfaces and even collect water from moisture in the air without using electricity.
What Is the New Smart Paint?
The new coating is based on a specially engineered polymer called PVDF-HFP. Unlike ordinary paints, it contains microscopic pores that help scatter sunlight and reduce heat absorption.
Researchers say the coating works through a process known as passive daytime radiative cooling. In simple terms, it reflects most of the sun's energy while releasing heat away from the surface, helping buildings stay cooler even on very hot days.
This means roofs and walls coated with the material absorb far less heat than traditional building surfaces.
How Could It Reduce Air Conditioner Use?
One of the main goals of the technology is to lower indoor temperatures naturally.
Tests conducted by the research team found that the coating could reflect up to 97% of incoming sunlight. In some cases, coated surfaces were more than 25°C cooler than dark-coloured roofs exposed to the same weather conditions.
Researchers also found that coated surfaces could remain as much as 6°C cooler than the surrounding air.
Because less heat enters a building, air conditioners and cooling systems may not need to work as hard. This could help reduce electricity consumption during periods of extreme heat.
While the coating is not expected to replace air conditioning completely, it could help lower cooling costs and improve energy efficiency.
The Paint Can Also Collect Water From the Air
Perhaps the most unusual feature of the coating is its ability to harvest water from the atmosphere.
Because the painted surface stays cooler than the surrounding air, moisture naturally condenses into droplets, much like dew forms on grass during the early morning.
The process does not require any external power source.
During a six-month rooftop trial, researchers reported that the coating was able to collect atmospheric moisture for around one-third of the year. Under favourable conditions, it produced up to 390 millilitres of water per square metre per day.
Where Could This Technology Be Used?
Researchers believe the coating could have a wide range of applications.
Possible uses include:
- Residential buildings
- Commercial offices
- Warehouses
- Agricultural facilities
- Remote communities
- Urban areas affected by the heat-island effect
The technology could be particularly useful in countries facing both extreme heat and growing water stress.
Could India Benefit From Smart Cooling Paint?
Countries such as India are experiencing increasingly frequent heatwaves and water shortages.
A coating that helps reduce indoor temperatures while also capturing atmospheric moisture could offer benefits in regions where both cooling and water resources are under pressure.
Researchers believe such technologies may become more important as cities continue to warm due to climate change and rapid urbanisation.
Is the Smart Paint Available to Buy?
Not yet.
The coating is still undergoing testing and development in Australia. Additional rooftop trials are currently taking place to evaluate its long-term performance.
Dewpoint Innovations is reportedly working with industry partners to develop a commercial version that can be applied using standard painting equipment, including rollers and spray systems.
However, no official launch date has been announced.
A Possible Solution for a Hotter Future
According to information released by the University of Sydney and Dewpoint Innovations, the experimental coating combines two useful functions in a single material: passive cooling and atmospheric water collection.
While further testing is still needed before large-scale commercial use, the early results suggest that smart coatings like this could play a role in reducing energy consumption, lowering cooling costs and helping communities adapt to rising temperatures in the years ahead.
Inputs from TOI
