Porous Thermal-Optical Conversion Element for Radiative Ground Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack effective solutions to decrease ground temperatures due to increased greenhouse gas emissions and heat retention from concrete and asphalt, leading to higher energy consumption and greenhouse effect cycles.
Innovation Solution
A thermophoto conversion element with a porous base having a concave and convex pattern structure that converts heat into light at specific wavelengths, reducing heat retention and enhancing emissivity, combined with heat absorbing members and adhesion layers for improved heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional heating layers are used to emit infrared rays, then infrared radiation can be generated, but the radiation is absorbed by air and clouds, preventing energy release from Earth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the emitted radiation from conventional infrared (which is absorbed by greenhouse gases) to visible light range (400-700 nm). This parameter change allows the radiation to penetrate through the atmosphere without being absorbed by greenhouse effect gases, thereby enabling effective energy release from Earth surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a selective radiation layer with specific local properties that emits radiation at wavelengths (visible light range) that are not absorbed by the atmosphere. This local quality modification of the radiation characteristics allows energy to escape through atmospheric windows that are otherwise closed to infrared radiation.
2Temperature
If air-conditioners are used more frequently to counteract ground heating, then cooling demand increases, but this leads to further energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the ground surface to self-regulate its temperature by emitting thermal radiation in the visible light range, which escapes through the atmosphere without requiring external cooling systems. This passive radiative cooling mechanism eliminates the need for energy-consuming air-conditioners while maintaining ground temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful heat accumulation on ground surfaces into beneficial radiative cooling by enabling the ground to emit its thermal energy in the visible spectrum, which naturally escapes through atmospheric windows. This transforms the greenhouse effect problem into a solution where the ground's own thermal energy becomes the mechanism for its cooling.
3Loss of energy
If a porous heat insulating layer is added to the infrared radiation element, then heat insulation is improved, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single selective radiation layer that simultaneously provides heat insulation and selective radiation emission. This multi-functional layer eliminates the need for separate insulating layers and radiation layers, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining both insulation performance and radiation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the heat insulating layer and the radiation-emitting layer into a single integrated selective radiation layer. This combination consolidates multiple components into one, simplifying the overall structure while achieving both thermal insulation and selective infrared/visible radiation emission functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The thermophoto conversion element efficiently converts heat into light at specific wavelengths, reducing heat retention and enhancing emissivity, thereby improving heat release from ground surfaces and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a base (1) having a surface part (1a) that includes a top surface and four side surfaces forming at least a concave portion (3a), the surface part (1a) being porous... converts heat into light at specific wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
the surface part (1a) of the base (1) is porous... efficiently converts heat into light
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
Figure 4(a)~4(b)
AI summary
A base 1 is metal, ceramic, or a complex combining thereof, wherein multiple concave and convex patterns having a concave portion 3a and a convex portion 3b are provided on the base 1 at a pitch of equal to or less than 2 µm, and a surface part 1a of the base 1 is porous. The base 1 includes cavities. The base 1 has a three-layer structure of a first metallic layer 1A-a dielectric layer 1B-a second metallic layer 1C, the second metallic layer 1C forms the convex portion 3b, and the gap between the second metallic layers is the concave portion. A heat absorbing member 7 is provided on the surface opposed to the surface where the concave and convex pattern 3 of the base 1 is provided.