Latest news with #QiaoqiangGan
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists develop revolutionary material that could transform how we grow food: 'Lets good light in and keeps bad light out'
A group of scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has developed a new nanoplastic and biodegradable mulch for greenhouses to improve crop growth in hot, arid regions like the Middle East. These passive cooling technologies, as a report shared by explained, have succeeded in lowering temperatures in small test greenhouses by 77 degrees Fahrenheit, while increasing Chinese cabbage crop yields by 200%. Their nanoplastic covering, which is made of polyethylene and cesium tungsten oxide nanoparticles, serves to absorb infrared light and let visible light pass through it. This drastically reduces greenhouse temperatures, while still fostering the photosynthesis needed for plant growth. "Most greenhouse covers, whether they are made of glass, polycarbonate or polyethylene, transmit more than 90% of light, including infrared light, which has no benefit to crop yield but generates heat. Our goal was to create a cover that lets good light in and keeps bad light out," said KAUST Professor Qiaoqiang Gan, who developed the nanoplastic and is an expert in passive cooling systems, per the article. The remaining sunlight still generates heat, which is why many farmers use mulch to cool down soil. These are usually plastic covers that have few practical recycling options and can break down in the soil. Their solution is a biodegradable cellulose paper that can reflect 93% of the sun's rays and provide shade to the soil as plant leaves grow, and it will degrade naturally into the earth. "Most commercial mulch is plastic and extremely wasteful. It results in about 1.5 million tons of waste, and more than 40% goes unrecycled. Plus, this leaves microplastics in our soil that can enter the food chain," said post-doctoral researcher Yanpei Tian. Through the use of these innovative solutions, the researchers believe they can reduce agricultural energy consumption by 40% in hot cities around the world. There will be less need for active cooling to protect crops, and water consumption can be reduced with lower temperatures. Similar work has been done by a company called Iyris and their Second Sky product, which also uses nanoparticles in greenhouse plastics to filter the sun's rays. Others have used spray coatings to convert the sun's rays into the most efficient wavelength for photosynthesis. This research is crucial for lowering food costs and ensuring long-term food security across the globe in the face of rising temperatures and extreme weather. The combination of developing heat-resistant crops, modernizing agricultural practices, and expanding the biodiversity of crops is crucial to weathering the changing climate. What is the biggest factor you consider when planning a vacation? Cost Distance from home Whether it's family-friendly Sightseeing and entertainment Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
New streetlight coating reflects 95% light and lets 80% infrared heat escape
Streetlights keep us safe at night but also contribute to global carbon emissions. Lighting accounts for 20% of the world's electricity consumption and nearly 6% of greenhouse gas emissions. Now, researchers have developed a new nanomaterial called nanoPE for street lights. This nanomaterial fulfills two key roles: efficient heat removal and enhanced light output. Moreover, these nanomaterials have the potential to decrease the carbon footprint of LED streetlights. For instance, this technology could reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the United States by one million metric tons. The development was made by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). "LEDs are preferred light sources because of their superior efficiency and lifespan. But small enhancements can improve them even more, and that can make a big difference to sustainability, because even small improvements have a big effect when used everywhere," said Professor Qiaoqiang Gan, the study leader from KAUST. Light-emitting diodes (LED) are energy efficient compared to standard lighting but are not immune to heat generation. LED heat damages electronics, shortens lifespan, and wastes 75% of input energy. The newly designed nanomaterial aims to address these major issues in LED technology. nanoPE allows for efficient heat dissipation while maximizing usable light output. It cools LEDs by promoting the release of heat from their surface. This nanomaterial is composed of polyethylene – the world's most common plastic. The team developed a process to transform this material into a nanoplastic with unique optical properties. It was stretched into a thin sheet. The material was engineered with 30-nanometer pores, which are approximately 1,000 times smaller than a human hair's width. This unique structure allows it to manage light selectively. It allows infrared light (the main heat source) to escape while reflecting visible light down to illuminate the street. Typical LED streetlights take a straightforward approach by directing light downwards to illuminate the intended area. This conventional design unintentionally traps the thermal radiation generated by the LED within the device itself. In contrast, the innovative nanoPE-coated streetlights adopt a bit different approach. Through inverted orientation, these lights are directed skyward, away from the object to be illuminated. This unconventional design allows the thermal radiation to escape into the atmosphere, while the nanoPE coating reflects the visible light downwards for the desired illumination of the roads or footpaths. Interestingly, the result showcased that the material allows over 80% of the infrared light to escape upwards, cooling the LED. Simultaneously, it reflects more than 95% of the visible light downwards to function as a streetlight. "Our design significantly improves LED cooling while maintaining high illumination efficiency, making it a promising solution for sustainable lighting in Saudi Arabia," said Hussam Qasem, General Manager of the Future Energy Technologies Institute at KACST, in the press release. Even a simple change, like redesigning streetlights, can greatly contribute to a sustainable future. The findings of this development were reported in the journal Light: Science & Applications.
Leaders
19-03-2025
- Science
- Leaders
Saudi Researchers Unveil Revolutionary Nanoplastic for Sustainable Street Lighting
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), in collaboration with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), have made a breakthrough in sustainable street lighting. Their new study reveals how nanomaterials can greatly reduce carbon emissions from LED streetlights. KAUST developed a nanomaterial called nanoPE. This innovative material enhances the thermal radiation emission from LED surfaces, thus lowering LED temperatures. LEDs typically generate heat. This heat can damage electronics and shorten the lifespan of the lights. Notably, around 75% of the energy input in LEDs is lost as heat. Significant Environmental Impact Professor Qiaoqiang Gan at KAUST emphasized the significance of these enhancements. He stated, 'LEDs are preferred light sources because of their superior efficiency and lifespan. However, small improvements can greatly influence sustainability. Even small advancements yield substantial benefits when implemented broadly.' Notably, lighting accounts for approximately 20% of the world's annual electricity consumption and contributes nearly 6% to global greenhouse gas emissions. Dr. Hussam Qasem, General Manager of the Future Energy Technologies Institute at KACST, highlighted the advantages of nanoPE. He mentioned, 'Our design significantly improves LED cooling. It maintains high illumination efficiency, making it a promising solution for sustainable lighting in Saudi Arabia.' Unique Design Features of nanoPE Typically, LED streetlights direct their light towards the ground, illuminating objects below. However, nanoPE-coated streetlights invert this direction. They aim light towards the sky, optimizing thermal radiation dispersal. This inversion arises because nanoPE allows infrared light, responsible for heat, to pass through it. Meanwhile, it reflects visible light back to the ground, ensuring effective illumination of the area beneath. The study found that over 80% of infrared light emitted by LEDs coated with nanoPE escapes into the atmosphere. In contrast, more than 95% of visible light reflects off the coating, illuminating streets effectively. Innovative Material Composition The nanoPE nanoplastic is based on polyethylene, the most widely produced plastic globally. To create a nanoplastic that reflects visible light while passing infrared light, researchers engineered pores as small as 30 nanometers. These pores are about 1000 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair. The scientists also stretched and thinned the material to achieve optimal performance. The team's findings are published in the journal 'Light: Science & Applications.' The research team includes Professors Osman Bakr and Boon Ooi, postdoctoral researcher Saichao Dang, master's student Hasan H. Almahfoudh, and KACST Assistant Professor Abdulrahman M. Alajlan. With these advancements, KAUST and KACST pave the way for more sustainable street lighting solutions in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Short link : Post Views: 23
