DNA-based aerogel could cool buildings more efficiently

Cooling material made from DNA helps cut carbon emissions: A team of Chinese researchers has developed a biomass-derived material using DNA that can cool buildings more efficiently while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Chinese news outlet Xinhua reported, citing an article published in the academic journal Science. The material — which combines DNA and gelatin into an ordered layered aerogel structure — can reduce temperatures by up to 16°C under direct sunlight, and is repairable, recyclable, and biodegradable.

What is aerogel, Enterprise? Aerogels are the world’s lightest solid materials, composed of up to 99.98% air by volume, according to a website. Their porous properties make it exhibit the lowest thermal conductivity of any solid known. The material can be made of a wide variety of substances, including silica, metal oxides, organic polymers, and carbon. Aerogels provide very effective insulation since they are extremely porous, according to NASA.

How it works: Combining the DNA and gelatin with aerogel converts the absorbed ultraviolet light into visible light, boosting radiative cooling properties and surpassing 100% solar reflectance — a measure of the ability of a surface material to reflect solar radiation. “This aerogel material is poised to revolutionize the energy efficiency of urban architecture as an outer protective layer,” said the paper’s author Zhao Haibo.

Why does this matter? Efficient cooling systems are crucial for reducing energy consumption and minimizing the carbon footprint of buildings. As temperatures rise, optimizing these systems can lead to substantial energy savings and support sustainability goals. Advanced technologies and smart management systems enhance efficiency by adapting to real-time conditions, providing cooling precisely where and when needed, and eliminating waste.

We need to keep up: The global economy’s energy efficiency has been increasing by 1-2% each year over the past decades while global economic growth stays at 3%, meaning that the rate of increased efficiency is not enough to counteract the total amount of energy the world uses.

AC usage is also projected to surge: Electricity used for cooling is set to double by 2050, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating global warming. About 10% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions could come from air-conditioning and other efforts to keep cool by mid-century if we continue on current electricity usage trends.