# 211. Cooling Buildings With Porous Plastic Sheets

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2025-02-18
- Length: 19m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-02-18-211-cooling-buildings-with-porous-plastic-sheets
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/211-cooling-buildings-with-porous-plastic-sheets-g4Cbxdyy

## Summary

The hosts discuss research from Penn State led by Professor Oklish Lakakia on porous polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) sheets that cool buildings via radiative cooling. They explain how the material reflects 96% of visible and infrared light and emits heat into space, reducing interior temperatures by approximately 14°F in tests. The conversation covers the environmental benefits of lowering HVAC energy demand, the manufacturing process using selective laser fusing, and concerns regarding plastic degradation and microplastics.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-02-18-211-cooling-buildings-with-porous-plastic-sheets#t=0) Introduction: Radiative Cooling and Heat Transfer Basics
- [3:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-02-18-211-cooling-buildings-with-porous-plastic-sheets#t=184) HVAC Energy Impact and the Penn State Research
- [6:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-02-18-211-cooling-buildings-with-porous-plastic-sheets#t=384) Mechanism: Reflecting Sunlight and Emitting Heat
- [9:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-02-18-211-cooling-buildings-with-porous-plastic-sheets#t=558) Material Science: PMMA and Selective Laser Fusing
- [11:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-02-18-211-cooling-buildings-with-porous-plastic-sheets#t=702) Performance Data and Environmental Concerns

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Penn State (company)
- Oklish Lakakia (other)
- Sky Cool Technologies (company)
- PMMA (material)
- Formlabs (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 226: Ice, Snow, and Cooling Paint in July](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-07-07-ep-226-ice-snow-and-cooling-paint-in-july) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Transforming Cooling Systems for Energy Efficiency and Global Impact with Ross Bonner](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-01-30-transforming-cooling-systems-for-energy-efficiency-and-global-impact-with-ross-b) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [AI Is Getting Hot: Can Additive Manufacturing Help Cool It Down?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2026-08-18-ai-is-getting-hot-can-additive-manufacturing-help-cool-it-down) (Additive Snack)
- [Cooling Earth by Using Mirrors to Reflect Sunlight with Dr. Ye Tao, Founder and Executive Director of MEER](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-07-18-cooling-earth-by-using-mirrors-to-reflect-sunlight-with-dr-ye-tao-founder-and-ex) (Hardware to Save a Planet)

## Citing this page

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