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🗞️ Driving the news: Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a chalk-based coating that can cool clothes by up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit
• This innovative coating reflects sunlight and allows body heat to escape, providing a simple, cost-effective solution to combat extreme heat
🔭 The context: As global temperatures rise, extreme heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense, posing serious health risks
• The coating, made from environmentally friendly calcium carbonate particles, is inspired by traditional cooling methods and can be applied to various fabrics without altering their texture
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Cooling fabrics can reduce the reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning, which contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions
• Widespread use of such materials could help mitigate climate change impacts and provide a sustainable solution for vulnerable populations in hot climates
⏭️ What's next: The UMass team plans to scale up production through a startup to make larger sheets of the treated fabric
• Other researchers, like those at RMIT University in Australia, are exploring similar cooling technologies using nanodiamonds, highlighting a growing interest in innovative cooling solutions
💬 One quote: “Without any power input, we’re able to reduce how hot a person feels, which could be a valuable resource where people are struggling to stay cool in extremely hot environments,” said Evan Patamia, a graduate student involved in the project
📈 One stat: The UMass-developed coating can cool fabrics by up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit compared to the air temperature and up to 15 degrees compared to untreated fabrics
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