Nonmetallic metasurfaces developed to block radiant heat

Researchers from the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center and Honeywell Aerospace have developed thin, nonmetallic metasurfaces designed to significantly reduce radiant heat transfer between closely spaced objects.

In laboratory settings, these specially designed coatings reduced thermal radiation emission by more than 80% compared to ordinary nonmetallic surfaces. Unlike traditional metal coatings, which reflect infrared radiation but also conduct electricity, these nonmetallic metasurfaces offer a way to manage heat without electrical conductivity. This makes them potentially ideal for use in sensitive electronics, spacecraft, infrared sensors, and thermoelectric devices where metal integration is difficult or undesirable.