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Cooling Paint That Harvests Water Shows Rooftop Results and Moves Toward Product

A six-month Sydney trial of the porous PVDF‑HFP coating recorded up to 6 C passive cooling with peak condensation of 390 mL per square meter per day.

Overview

  • In a peer-reviewed study, the paint-like layer reflected up to 97% of sunlight and radiated heat to trigger dew formation without energy input.
  • Outdoor testing on the Sydney Nanoscience Hub roof captured dew during roughly 32% of the year, indicating collection is feasible between rain events.
  • The nanoengineered PVDF‑HFP coating achieves high reflectivity through microscopic pores rather than UV-absorbing pigments, reducing glare and avoiding common degradation pathways.
  • Performance remained stable with no observed degradation over six months under harsh sun, supporting short-term durability claims.
  • The University of Sydney has licensed the technology to Dewpoint Innovations, which is developing a water-based formulation for roller or sprayer application, with example yields of about 4.7 liters per day from a 12 m² roof section under optimal conditions.