Chinese Scientists have developed a new technology developed that can cut electricity bills in half by cooling people directly instead of entire rooms.
‘Personalized thermal management device’ cools people with mid-infrared radiation without cooling the air.
Scientists in China and Hong Kong discovered in experiments on artificial skin that the device can reduce skin temperature by 7.3 degrees Celsius while using half the electricity required for a standard air conditioning setup in the summer.
The new device uses a completely different mechanism than conventional air conditioners, which cools the air inside an entire room or building.
It uses mid-infrared radiation to directly cool a person, thereby, reducing the need for energy-intensive processes such as air cooling, dehumidification and reheating. .
The research, published Thursday in Cell Reports Physical Science, shows that the device can save up to 50 percent of the electricity typically used in conventional air conditioning systems, potentially saving on electricity bills.
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With record-breaking global temperatures due to the climate crisis, many countries are facing long summers that are driving up electricity demand and AC bills.
This new technology offers a solution to this problem with a method of cooling that not only saves electricity but is potentially safer in the context of airborne diseases such as Covid.
The device works by directly injecting mid-infrared radiation onto the human body, creating a cooling effect without relying on air circulation. This approach dramatically reduces power consumption, with the device achieving a radiant cooling energy density of up to 220 watts / square meter – more than double that of existing systems.
The researchers developed a prototype using a thermoelectric cooler and polyethylene films, which together form a supercooled surface that emits infrared radiation. This radiation is absorbed by the skin, cooling the body without the need for air movement.
To prevent moisture from entering the cold surface, the researchers used polyethylene as a barrier, which maintains the device’s performance even in humid environments.
This anti-condensation feature ensures that the device can function efficiently for a long period of time.
#technology #cools #people #rooms
2024-09-04 21:00:13
