Reflective ultra-white paint could help to cool the planet

This far exceeds the effectiveness of most central air conditioners and all that’s required to achieve it, is a bit of good old-fashioned of elbow grease.

So, what exactly makes this paint pigment so white then?

Easily the closest counterpart to the blackest black ‘Vantablack’ which is capable of absorbing 99.9% of sunlight, this climate friendly paint is extremely white thanks to one vital compound.

An ultra-reflective white paint absorbs so little sunlight that it becomes cooler than its surroundings, so it could replace energy-intensive air conditioners to cool buildings https://t.co/XFb5nicXCc pic.twitter.com/GWloEjxGfi

— New Scientist (@newscientist) April 17, 2021

Known as barium sulphate, this super reflective ingredient is deliberately comprised of varying sized particles which scatter different parts of the light spectrum so it isn’t directly absorbed. Ah, Science.

The barium sulphate paint enables surfaces to be below air temperature, even in direct sunlight, because it reflects so much of the sun’s light and also radiates infrared heat at a wavelength that is not absorbed by air.

‘The radiation can go through the atmosphere, being directly lost to deep space, which is extremely cold,’ said Ruan at a press release.

While this all sounds extremely promising, there are a number of logistical kinks to figure out before this can hit the shelves. With billions of tons of barium sulphate required to make a meaningful difference, researchers are working to thin their paint as much as feasibly possible without hindering its efficiency.

This innovative new product, which to the naked eye is being described as ‘a bit brighter than snow,’ is being patented by the University regardless, and the team is targeting a rollout in the next two years.

If your lucky enough to live somewhere with hot summers, I’d start digging out your old roller and ladder.