Colorful new paints block heat for cooler summers and warmer winters

Heating and cooling account for huge portions of our energy consumption and environmental impact, so systems that can passively control indoor climate are important. Now scientists at Stanford have created a new type of paint that blocks heat from ente… Continue reading Colorful new paints block heat for cooler summers and warmer winters

Vibrantly colored film could massively passively cool cars and buildings

It’s common knowledge that lighter colors reflect more light than darker ones, which can limit the practical palette choices for your clothes, car or house in a warming world. Now, scientists have developed a new material, inspired by butterfly wings, … Continue reading Vibrantly colored film could massively passively cool cars and buildings

Campstream One uses a Tesla or Rivian to heat or cool your tent

People camping in tents are expected to “rough it” a bit, but … if they have a battery-powered heating and air conditioning system right beside them, why not use it? That’s the thinking behind Campstream One, which mooches off the user’s electric vehic… Continue reading Campstream One uses a Tesla or Rivian to heat or cool your tent

High-tech car cover could protect EVs from changes in temperature

Large fluctuations in outdoor temperatures can shorten the lifespan of the batteries used in electric cars – if those cars are parked outside, that is. An experimental new car-cloak could help minimize such damage, by damping changes in temperature.Con… Continue reading High-tech car cover could protect EVs from changes in temperature

Reversible insoles repurpose footstep energy into heating and cooling

Heated insoles we’ve looked at previously generally use batteries to create electrical heat for warming up icy toes. French company Solecooler has a different idea. It bypasses the electrical hardware and gets its power straight from the source: the fe… Continue reading Reversible insoles repurpose footstep energy into heating and cooling