Permafrost thawing prevention via a cooling geotextile

A biodegradable cooling geotextile with a biomass scaffold and hydrophobic coating addresses the challenges of permafrost thawing by reflecting sunlight and emitting thermal radiation, providing effective temperature reduction and environmental sustainability.

US20250361690A1Pending Publication Date: 2025-11-27PURDUE RES FOUND
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Patent Information

Application Number
US19/216467
Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-05-22
Filing Date
2025-05-22
Publication Date
2025-11-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing methods for preventing permafrost thawing, such as shading, insulation, and heat extraction, face challenges including environmental impact, high maintenance costs, and unsuitability for large-scale Arctic deployment, necessitating a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution.

Method used

A biodegradable cooling geotextile engineered with a biomass scaffold, cellulose layer, and hydrophobic coating that enhances ground albedo, facilitates passive cooling, and provides thermal insulation, using hierarchical porous structures to reflect sunlight and emit thermal radiation.

Benefits of technology

The cooling geotextile effectively reduces ground temperature, withstands Arctic weather, and minimizes permafrost thawing with low fabrication costs and minimal ecological impact, offering superior mechanical strength and durability.

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Abstract

Permafrost thawing prevention may involve deploying a cooling geotextile onto a permafrost soil. The geotextile may include a biomass scaffold comprising natural plant-based fibers. The geotextile may further include a cellulose layer comprising cellulose fibers laminated onto the biomass scaffold such that the cellulose fibers are physically entangled with the plant-based fibers. The geotextile may further include a hydrophobic and biodegradable coating which defines at least one surface of the geotextile. The geotextile may be optically opaque, exhibits high solar reflectivity, and maintains high mid-infrared emissivity to enable passive radiative cooling.
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