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Innovative 3D Smart Energy Device Revolutionizes Heating and Cooling
A research team led by Professor Bonghoon Kim from the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering at DGIST has unveiled a groundbreaking “3D Smart Energy Device” that boasts reversible heating and cooling capabilities. The project saw collaboration with Professor Bongjae Lee from KAIST’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and Professor Heon Lee from Korea University’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Their pioneering work has garnered recognition, being selected as the cover article for the esteemed journal Advanced Materials.
Addressing Global Energy Challenges
Heating and cooling contribute to nearly 50% of worldwide energy usage, significantly impacting environmental issues like global warming and air pollution. In light of these concerns, technologies leveraging solar absorption and radiative cooling methods are emerging as viable eco-friendly alternatives. While a variety of devices targeting these functions exist, many are constrained to either heating or cooling alone, and larger systems often lack the necessary flexibility.
A New Approach to Temperature Control
To overcome these challenges, Professor Kim’s team has developed a device that combines both heating and cooling in a single unit. The innovative mechanism operates through a mechanical peeling process that alters the 3D structure of the device. When this structure opens, a lower layer made from silicone elastomer and silver becomes exposed, facilitating radiative cooling. Conversely, when the structure closes, a black-painted surface harnesses solar heat for heating purposes.
Versatile and Efficient Solution
The research team conducted tests on a variety of substrates, including skin, glass, steel, aluminum, copper, and polyimide. They demonstrated that by simply adjusting the angle of the 3D structure, they could effectively control the device’s heating and cooling capabilities. This level of adaptability presents a powerful solution for enhancing energy efficiency in temperature-regulated buildings and electronic devices across both macro and micro scales.
A Vision for Future Applications
“We are thrilled that our research has been honored as the cover feature in such a reputable journal,” stated Professor Bonghoon Kim. “Our goal is to translate these findings into practical applications within industrial and architectural contexts to significantly decrease energy consumption.”
This research project was made possible through support from the “Global Bioconvergence Interfacing Leading Research Center (ERC)” and the “Nano and Materials Technology Development Project” under the National Research Foundation of Korea. The significant findings have been published in Advanced Materials, where they proudly feature as the cover article.
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