Scientists have developed a biodegradable material that can reduce global energy use without electricity.
The World Meteorological Organization reported in 2021 that “the last seven years have been the hottest on record,” highlighting the severe threat climate change poses to humans, plants, and animals. Cooling devices like air conditioners and refrigerators increase energy consumption and pollution. Passive radiative cooling (PRC) offers energy savings by enabling cooling without mechanical devices or external energy sources.
Scientists have made a big breakthrough with a new bioplastic cooling film that could cut building energy use by 20%. These bio-derived coolers are a sustainable alternative to petrochemical materials, but they haven’t been very stable in the long run.
A team of scientists from around the world has developed a biodegradable material that can reduce global energy use without needing any electricity. This bioplastic metafilm can be applied to buildings, equipment, and other surfaces. It cools temperatures by up to 9.2°C during peak sunlight and reflects almost 99% of the sun’s rays. This innovation offers a new way to design sustainable, durable, and energy-efficient cooling materials.
To read the full article click here https://www.unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2025/bioplastic-breakthrough-sustainable-cooling-film-could-slash-building–use-amid-rising-global-temperatures-20/ – University of South Australia
A structural bioplastic metafilm for durable passive radiative cooling’ is published in Cell Reports Physical Science and is authored by Yangzhe Hou, Yamin Pan, Xianhu Liu, Jun Ma, Chuntai Liu and Changyu Shen. DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2025.102664
Research paper, https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-physical-science/fulltext/S2666-3864(25)00263-2
