flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Stanford researchers develop nanophotonic panel that reflects sun's heat out of the atmosphere

Stanford researchers develop nanophotonic panel that reflects sun's heat out of the atmosphere

While still in the conceptual stage, new material could be the future of highly reflective building envelopes.


By BD+C Staff | March 29, 2013

It sound like something out of a Sci-Fi movie.

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a nanophotonic material that not only reflects sunlight and prevents heat from being absorbed, but it actually beams the thermal energy at a specific wavelength so that it leaves the earth's atmosphere.

A recent post on the Green Prophet blog details the discovery, which, if developed and implemented on a mass scale, would go along way toward improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

For instance, the Stanford research team, led by Shanhui Fan, professor of electrical engineering, said that by covering just 10% of a roof with the nanophotonic material would mitigate about a third of the building's cooling load, according Green Prophet.

(http://www.greenprophet.com/2013/03/nanophotic-building-panels-beam-sunlight-and-heat-into-cold-space/)

Related Stories

Multifamily Housing | May 2, 2017

Multifamily housing: 7 exciting, inspiring innovations [AIA Course]

This AIA CES course features seven novel approaches developers and Building Teams are taking to respond to competitive pressures and build more quickly and with more attractive offerings.

Healthcare Facilities | May 1, 2017

Designing patient rooms for the entire family can improve patient satisfaction and outcomes

Hospital rooms are often not designed to accommodate extended stays for anyone other than the patient, which can have negative effects on patient outcome.

Architects | Apr 27, 2017

Number of U.S. architects holds steady, while professional mobility increases

New data from NCARB reveals that while the number of architects remains consistent, practitioners are looking to get licensed in multiple states.

Multifamily Housing | Apr 26, 2017

Multifamily amenity trends: The latest in package delivery centers

Package delivery centers provide order and security for the mountains of parcels piling up at apartment and condominium communities.

Multifamily Housing | Apr 26, 2017

Huh? A subway car on the roof?

Chicago’s newest multifamily development features an iconic CTA car on its amenity deck. 

High-rise Construction | Apr 26, 2017

Dubai’s newest building is a giant gilded picture frame

Despite currently being under construction, the building is the center of an ongoing lawsuit filed by the architect.

Architects | Apr 25, 2017

Two Mid-Atlantic design firms join forces

Quinn Evans Architects and Cho Benn Holback + Associates have similar portfolios with an emphasis on civic work. 

BIM and Information Technology | Apr 24, 2017

Reconciling design energy models with real world results

Clark Nexsen’s Brian Turner explores the benefits and challenges of energy modeling and discusses how design firms can implement standards for the highest possible accuracy.

Higher Education | Apr 24, 2017

Small colleges face challenges — and opportunities

Moody’s Investor Service forecasts that closure rates for small institutions will triple in the coming years, and mergers will double.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


Resiliency

Austin area evacuation center will double as events venue

A new 45,000 sf FEMA-operated evacuation shelter in the Greater Austin metropolitan area will begin construction this fall. The center will be available to house people in the event of a disaster such as a major hurricane and double as an events venue when not needed for emergency shelter.


Cultural Facilities

Baltimore’s National Aquarium opens 10,000-sf floating wetland that mimics the harbor’s original tidal marsh habitat

The National Aquarium in Baltimore has opened the National Aquarium Harbor Wetland, a 10,000-sf floating wetland that mimics the Inner Harbor’s original Chesapeake Bay tidal marsh habitat. Located between Piers 3 and 4 on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the $14 million project features more than 32,000 native shrubs and marsh grasses. 


halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021

Â