Novel paint could aid drought-hit regions

---

Scientists at the University of Sydney in Australia have introduced an innovative paint designed to address two critical environmental challenges: rising temperatures and water shortages. This newly developed coating, made from a nano-engineered polymer, not only cools buildings but also facilitates the collection of water from the atmosphere.

Collaborating with a startup called Dewpoint Innovations, the research team created a paint that reflects sunlight, reducing the interior temperature of buildings by as much as 6°C. This cooling effect decreases reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning systems. At the same time, the paint’s porous surface allows atmospheric moisture to condense into droplets, similar to how steam forms on a bathroom mirror. The accumulated water can then be harvested for various uses, including providing drinking water for animals, supporting horticulture of valuable plants, cooling via misting systems, or even contributing to hydrogen production.

Professor Chiara Neto from the University of Sydney highlighted the broader significance of this technology: “This technology not only advances the science of cool roof coatings but also opens the door to sustainable, low-cost and decentralised sources of fresh water – a critical need in the face of climate change and growing water scarcity.” While the paint works best under humid conditions, it can also generate dew in arid and semi-arid environments where humidity increases at night. Instead of replacing rainfall, the paint offers supplementary water to locations where other water sources may be scarce or unreliable.

This dual-purpose paint represents a promising advance in creating sustainable, efficient solutions to environmental pressures, offering a practical way to reduce indoor heat while simultaneously capturing water, an essential resource increasingly under threat worldwide

Read the full article on Positive News here: Read More

---