Scientists develop bioplastic film for passive cooling

Scientists from Zhengzhou University in China and the University of South Australia have developed a bioplastic meta-film capable of reducing building temperatures by up to 9.2 degrees Celsius without using electricity.

Published in Cell Reports Physical Science, the material utilizes polylactic acid (PLA), a plant-based bioplastic. The film features a specialized porous structure with microspheres that allows it to reflect 98.7% of solar light. Additionally, the material functions as a window to space by emitting accumulated internal heat through an infrared band that passes through the atmosphere into the cosmos, providing a passive cooling system.