Nissan's Innovative Paint Reduces Car Temperatures
Nissan Motor Co. has developed a groundbreaking paint that significantly reduces the temperature inside vehicles parked in direct sunlight. This innovative material keeps the car's surface up to 12 degrees cooler compared to standard paint, leading to a more comfortable interior and reduced energy consumption.
The paint works by mimicking a natural process called radiative cooling. This phenomenon allows objects to release heat and cool down, similar to how the ground cools off at night. Nissan partnered with Radi-Cool, a Chinese company specializing in radiative cooling technologies, to develop this revolutionary paint.
Tests have shown that the paint can lower the temperature of a car's roof by 12 degrees and the driver's seat by 5 degrees compared to traditional paint. This translates to a more comfortable driving experience and less reliance on air conditioning, ultimately reducing energy consumption.
While the paint offers significant benefits, there are some challenges to overcome before it can be widely used. The coating is currently six times thicker than standard paint and more expensive to produce, making it unsuitable for mass-produced passenger vehicles.
Therefore, Nissan plans to initially commercialize the paint for specialized vehicles like ambulances, where the benefits outweigh the cost considerations. This will allow them to further refine the technology and potentially make it more accessible in the future.