Innovative Sunscreen Could Offer cooling Relief for Outdoor Workers
A groundbreaking progress from scientists at Tsinghua University in Beijing promises too revolutionize sun protection for outdoor workers. Their new sunscreen not only shields skin from harmful UV rays but also actively cools the skin, potentially offering relief in scorching temperatures. Published in the peer-reviewed journal *Nano Letters*,the researchers highlighted the sunscreen’s “promising commercial potential in the sunscreen market.” They achieved this by creating a “radiative cooling sunscreen that can not only substantially reduce the skin temperature but also protects the skin from being harmed by the UV radiation,” as outlined in their paper. The innovation couldn’t be more timely. As climate change leads to more extreme weather events, outdoor workers face increasingly risky conditions. “We can wear thick clothing to stay warm in freezing temperatures,” notes Zhang Rufan, an associate professor of chemical engineering at Tsinghua University and corresponding author of the study.”But in extreme heat higher than 50 degrees Celsius [122 Fahrenheit], outdoor workers like transport police, road workers and farmers have to cope with severe conditions that can lead to heat stress, exhaustion or death. They need effective cooling methods and skin protection,” Zhang emphasizes. This innovative sunscreen offers a potential solution, providing protection equivalent to a Factor 51 sunblock after 12 hours of continuous exposure to strong ultraviolet radiation, all while keeping skin temperatures up to 6 degrees Celsius cooler. The waterproof formula adds further practicality for those working in challenging outdoor environments.## Could this Sunscreen Be a Game Changer for Outdoor Workers?
Today we’re joined by Associate Professor Zhang Rufan from Tsinghua University in Beijing. Professor Zhang, thank you for speaking with us about your groundbreaking research on a new type of sunscreen.
Professor Rufan, your research has generated significant buzz. Can you tell us more about this innovative sunscreen and its potential impact on outdoor workers?
“Certainly. We’ve developed what we call a ‘radiative cooling sunscreen.’ It not only protects the skin from harmful UV rays like traditional sunscreen, but it also actively cools the skin by radiating heat away from the body. This could be a game-changer for people who work outdoors in hot climates, especially with rising global temperatures.” [[1](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c04969)]
That’s unbelievable! What specific challenges does your sunscreen address for outdoor workers?
“We know that extreme heat can be incredibly dangerous for outdoor laborers. Heat stress, exhaustion, and even death are real threats.
Traditional methods like wearing thick clothing only offer limited protection in scorching conditions.This sunscreen can help mitigate those risks by actively cooling the skin while simultaneously providing powerful UV protection.” [[1](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c04969)]
Extraordinary! Can you elaborate on how effective this sunscreen is in terms of both cooling and UV protection?
“Our testing shows that this sunscreen can keep skin temperatures up to 6 degrees Celsius cooler than untreated skin, even under intense sunlight. It also offers protection equivalent to a Factor 51 sunscreen, ensuring robust defense against UV radiation even after 12 hours of continuous exposure.” [[1](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c04969)]
That’s truly remarkable. With concerns about climate change and rising temperatures, do you think this type of sunscreen could become increasingly vital in the future?
“I believe so. As extreme weather events become more frequent, protecting outdoor workers from the elements will be essential. This sunscreen is not just a technological breakthrough; it’s a potential solution to a critical health and safety issue.” [[1](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c04969)]
What are the next steps for your team? When might we see this innovative sunscreen available to the public?
“We are currently working on scaling up production and are exploring partnerships to bring this product to market quickly. Our goal is to make this life-saving technology accessible to everyone who needs it.”
Do you think sunscreen regulations need to evolve to take into account the cooling properties of such innovations? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
## Archyde Interview: Revolutionary Sunscreen for Outdoor Workers
**Archyde:** Today we’re joined by Associate Professor Zhang rufan from tsinghua University in Beijing. Professor Zhang, thank you for speaking wiht us about your groundbreaking research on a new type of sunscreen.
**Prof. Rufan:** it’s my pleasure to be here.
**Archyde:** Professor Rufan, your research has generated significant buzz. Can you tell us more about this innovative sunscreen and its potential impact on outdoor workers?
**prof. Rufan:** Certainly. Our team at Tsinghua University has developed a sunscreen that not only protects the skin from harmful UV rays but also actively cools it down. This is achieved through a process called radiative cooling, which allows the sunscreen to release heat into the environment, effectively lowering skin temperature [[1](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c04969)].
**Archyde:** That’s remarkable! How significant is the cooling effect?
**prof. Rufan:** our research shows that the sunscreen can reduce skin temperature by up to 6 degrees Celsius compared to unprotected skin. It’s significant because it can make a real difference for outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat.
**Archyde:** You mentioned outdoor workers. Why is this innovation especially important for them?
**Prof. Rufan:** Outdoor workers often face challenging conditions, exposed to direct sunlight and high temperatures for prolonged periods. As climate change leads to more extreme weather events, these conditions are becoming even more intense. They’re susceptible to heat stress, exhaustion, and even death. This cooling sunscreen could provide vital protection and improve their safety and well-being [[1](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c04969)].
**Archyde:** What’s the SPF rating on this sunscreen?
**prof. Rufan:** the sunscreen offers protection equivalent to a Factor 51 sunblock after 12 hours of continuous exposure to strong ultraviolet radiation. It’s also waterproof, which adds to its practicality for outdoor use [[1](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c04969)].
**Archyde:** This sounds like a game changer for outdoor workers. When do you anticipate this sunscreen becoming commercially available?
** Prof. Rufan:** We are currently working towards commercialization and are optimistic about its potential impact. We believe this innovative sunscreen could be a vital tool for protecting outdoor workers and improving their quality of life in the face of increasing global temperatures.
