Nissan developed a "cool paint" that incorporates metamaterials to help lower cabin temperatures and reduce the energy usage of air-conditioning systems in vehicles. The paint features two microstructure particles that react to sunlight, reflecting near-infrared rays and counteracting the sun's energy.
Nissan tested the cool paint on vehicles at Tokyo's Haneda airport during a heatwave in Japan, reducing roof-panel temperatures by up to 12 degrees Celsius and interior temperatures by up to 5 degrees Celsius, with coated cars feeling significantly cooler to the touch compared to regular cars.
The cool paint was developed in partnership with Radi-Cool, specialists in radiative cooling products based in China.
The paint is significantly thicker than normal, posing a challenge for commercialization. Nissan tested over 100 samples, ensuring resistance to various factors while exploring thinner options.
Cooler cars can reduce the need for air-conditioning and lessen the impact of heat on engines and electric vehicle batteries. Toyota has also been experimenting with paint for lower cabin temperatures, focusing on colors that reflect sunlight.
Nissan's cool paint reflects sunlight and blocks electromagnetic waves to redirect energy away from vehicles. The Nissan Research Center found no negative health effects from the paint's electromagnetic waves.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: Daily Mail, Greenfield Reporter, Seattle PI, Hjnews, US News.