Infrared Heat Reflective Coating

Technology Overview

Heat reflective coatings represent an important tool in the energy management of any building. Unfortunately these coatings are usually expensive and sometimes even toxic, thus increasing their production and application costs. Researchers from UCI’s Chemical Engineering and Material Science Department have developed a new class of energy efficient coatings consisting of a material that is derived from a naturally occurring and inexpensive biomolecule.

This invention represents a novel heat reflective coating, which can be readily produced in large quantities at a very low cost. Moreover, the coating is fully biocompatible, further reducing total life cycle costs at both the production and installation stages, as well as the removal/replacement stages.

Energy is a large expenditure for all consumers and corporations. Buildings are typically subjected to excess heat loads from the infrared region of incident sunlight. By coating windows and rooftops with infrared reflective coatings, unwanted heating is minimized, which greatly reduces energy costs. However, most commercially available infrared coatings rely on expensive or toxic compounds, so they have not found widespread use beyond basic rooftop applications. For example, in the case of windows, heat reflecting solutions are often expensive, too opaque, or limited to the new construction or replacement sector, therefore eliminating the built environment market. The solution to these drawbacks is a cheap, environmentally friendly coating.

Researchers at UCI have synthesized a functional biomolecule that meets the requirements of functional infrared coatings for buildings. Thin films of this biomolecule exhibit a range of coloration, but most notably, their reflectance extends into the infrared region. The UCI research team has adapted an inexpensive method for coating a variety of substrates with this biomolecule, as well as strategies for modulating the reflectivity of the coated substrates. By modulating their thickness, they can fabricate coatings that are transparent enough for window applications.

Stage of Development

The researchers have demonstrated the ability to tune the reflectance spectrum of the coatings from the ultraviolet, across the visible spectrum, and to the infrared. The have also optimized conditions for coating arbitrary substrates with this material.

Further publication and patent information may be available on request.

Benefits

This invention represents a biocompatible coating, which can be produced and processed on a large scale for low cost. The processing utilizes known and commercially viable processes. Thus, the novel coating technology overcomes the twin hurdles of toxicity and cost, enabling improved energy efficiency in buildings.

Applications

Energy Saving Surface Coatings:

• Buildings
• Windows
• Sports Gear
• Clothing
• Camping Equipment