Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-05-15 Origin: Site
Scientists from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology (KACST) in Saudi Arabia have collaborated to develop an innovative nano coating technology that is expected to significantly improve the energy efficiency of LED street lights and reduce carbon emissions.
This study, published in the journal Light: Science&Applications, suggests that promoting its application in the United States alone could potentially reduce over 1.3 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Lighting is a huge source of energy consumption, accounting for approximately 20% of global electricity consumption and contributing nearly 6% of greenhouse gas emissions. Street lighting also accounts for 1-3% of global electricity demand, imposing a burden on municipal units. Although LED is an efficient light source, about 75% of its energy is converted into heat and dissipated during operation. High temperature not only reduces luminous efficiency, but also shortens the lifespan of the lamp. Therefore, effective thermal management is crucial for improving LED performance.
The key developed by the research team is a nano material called nanoPE (nanoporous polyethylene). This material is made of common polyethylene and produces pores of only 30 nanometers (about one thousandth of a hair's thickness) through a special process. Its uniqueness lies in its ability to efficiently penetrate infrared light (the main source of thermal radiation) (over 80%), while efficiently reflecting visible light (over 95%).
In order to maximize the benefits of nanoPE, researchers propose to install LED street lights coated with this material upside down. This way, the thermal energy (infrared light) generated by the lamps can smoothly penetrate nanoPE and radiate upwards to the sky, while the visible light required for downward illumination is effectively reflected to the ground. This is completely different from the traditional LED design that traps thermal energy inside and has the lamp head facing downwards.
The experimental results confirmed that the application of nanoPE coating reduced the temperature of LED by 7.8 ° C in laboratory environment and 4.4 ° C in outdoor measurement, resulting in an efficiency improvement of about 5% and 4%, respectively. Professor Qiaoqiang Gan, the research leader, emphasized that even small efficiency improvements can have a huge impact on sustainable development when applied on a large scale. Co author Dr. Hussam Qasem also believes that this design significantly improves heat dissipation and maintains high lighting efficiency, making it a potential solution for sustainable lighting.
