There’s no denying that the world is growing hotter and hotter every passing year. Global warming is becoming a genuine concern, and efforts are being made to curb the rising temperatures globally. While some countries and corporations continue to overlook the impending dangers of global warming, others are searching for ways to control their fuel usage and promote sustainable development.

Pexels | Saying goodbye to the heat and hello to sustainability!

When it comes to heat, there’s not much that can be done. You can turn up the air conditioning now and then but, that comes with a hefty electricity bill. So, can you have a home that stays cool on its own and doesn’t require air conditioning at all? With the help of a new sustainable roofing, you can – and it is all because of an associate professor of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Northeastern University, Boston.

Northeastern University COE | This discovery has cast a new spotlight on the associate professor and his work

Yi Zheng calls his invention the "cooling paper." The material is designed to cover the roof of all sorts of buildings and houses. It is a light-colored material that can absorb heat while simultaneously reflecting solar rays. This material goes one step forward by expelling the internal heat of the house created from the use of stoves, electronics, and even human bodies. The “cooling paper” is a porous microstructure of natural fibers which absorbs internal heat and reflects external heat.

Inspiration Is All Around Us

As a teacher and scholar of engineering, Zheng was inspired to create the “cooling paper” after looking at a bucket of used printing paper. This led to him wondering how the waste paper could be transformed into functional material. His curiosity led the way as he made paper pulp in a blender and created a waterproof “cooling paper”. So, the invention is not just named “cooling paper”, it quite literally is paper.

Pexels | Reduce, Recycle and Re-use

Upon experimentation, Prof. Yi Zheng and his colleagues discovered that this cooling paper could reduce the temperature of a room by 10°F. Interestingly, the thing about the invention is that it can be remade with the same material after it has been subjected to harsh weather conditions and varying temperatures without the need for extra materials. It also comes with numerous benefits. It is recyclable and eco-friendly and can reduce the energy footprint. Not to forget the fact that it is going to save a lot of money on electricity bills.

Prof. Zheng is putting all of his focus onto this project as he believes that it can help not only help reduce your utility bills and fight climate change.