Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Greased Lightning

A briefing by the American Chemical Society featured a new energy-saving technology, a roofing materials coating that reflects heat in the summertime and absorbs sun ray's in the winter time. It effectively goes under a phase change at certain temperatures that reverses its optical properties; Usually materials just reflect the sun light. This coating reduces rooftop temperature by 50-80% in warm weather and increases it by about 80% in the winter. So far, I'm impressed, what about you?

So what is this magic substance?

Its recycled waste cooking oils. Yeah, you read that right, deep fryer grease. It is sprayed on to asphalt shingles or other roofing materials. No studies have been published on this amazing phase changing grease coating and so it is unknown how this alternation occurs, likely through an additive of some sort probably a type of cellulose. If it works it could be a huge advance in energy smart technologies.

My only question: Will my house smell like french fries?

Read more here: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/57485/title/Cool_roof_coating_Mechanism_kept_under_wraps
(image from homerenovationtrends.com)

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