Single-Layer Cool Coating for Solar Reflectance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dark colored coatings for building materials absorb near-infrared radiation, leading to increased temperatures and energy consumption due to the 'heat island effect, and existing cool coatings often require complex two-layer systems or limited substrate compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A single-layer thermosetting coating system with a binder system, crosslinking agent, and a dispersion of NIR-reflective and NIR-transparent pigments, which can be applied to any substrate, achieving a total solar reflectance of at least 30 and reducing temperature increases in interior spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a two-layer cool coating system is used to improve solar reflectance, then total solar reflectance increases, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the basecoat and topcoat into a single coating layer. This single-layer cool coating integrates the reflective properties traditionally provided by a separate basecoat layer with the aesthetic and protective functions of a topcoat, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high total solar reflectance (TSR ≥ 30) and preventing temperature increase in interior spaces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a two-layer cool coating system is used to improve solar reflectance, then total solar reflectance increases, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the basecoat and topcoat into a single coating layer. This single-layer cool coating integrates the reflective properties traditionally provided by a separate basecoat layer with the aesthetic and protective functions of a topcoat, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high total solar reflectance (TSR ≥ 30) and preventing temperature increase in interior spaces.
3Device complexity
If a single-layer coating is used to reduce coating complexity, then device complexity decreases, but substrate compatibility is limited to reflective substrates only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pigments with specific optical parameters that enable the coating to achieve high solar reflectance (TSR ≥ 30) independent of the substrate's reflectivity. By carefully selecting pigments with appropriate reflectance and transparency characteristics in the near-infrared region, the coating can be applied to any substrate type (reflective or non-reflective) while maintaining its cool coating performance and preventing temperature increase in interior spaces.
4Illumination intensity
If dark colored coating is used to provide aesthetic appearance, then color brightness is improved, but solar reflectance decreases causing heat island effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of local quality by making different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum interact differently with the coating. The coating is designed to reflect near-infrared radiation (which carries heat energy) while absorbing visible light to provide desired color and aesthetic appearance. This selective spectral interaction allows the coating to maintain dark or colorful aesthetics while preventing heat absorption and the associated temperature increase and heat island effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pigments that exhibit different optical properties at different wavelengths. These pigments appear dark or colored in the visible spectrum (providing aesthetic appearance) but are transparent or reflective in the near-infrared region (preventing heat absorption). This wavelength-dependent optical behavior enables the coating to simultaneously achieve desirable color brightness and high solar reflectance, eliminating the heat island effect.
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 single-layer coating system effectively reduces temperature increases in interior spaces by enhancing solar reflectance, offering a cost-effective and versatile solution for various substrates, including non-reflective materials, while maintaining aesthetic appearance and weather resistance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pigment that is reflective in the near-infrared (NIR) region
Implementation Method 2
at least one pigment that is transparent in the near-infrared region
Implementation Method 3
the coating system demonstrates increased total solar reflectance, and thereby prevents increase in temperature of one or more interior spaces defined by the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
The present description provides a single layer coating system applied on a substrate, wherein the coating system demonstrates increased total solar reflectance, and thereby prevents increase in temperature of one or more interior spaces defined by the substrate. The coating system described herein may be used as a “cool coating.” The coating compositions described herein use a combination of pigments that are reflective and transparent in the near infrared (NIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum.