A “sunscreen” for roof coatings has been developed by two Arizona State University graduates to assist buildings withstand the heat. The coating, created by Matthew Aguayo and Aashay Arora, functions by simulating an ice pack’s freeze-thaw cycle. Their innovation has the potential to prolong roof life and drastically lower energy expenses, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.
Extensive testing of this novel coating at Arizona State University has already yielded encouraging results; classrooms coated with the product have reportedly seen a “25 to 30% reduction in heating and cooling costs,” according to Arora, who spoke to FOX 10 Phoenix. This product’s unique feature is its capacity to actively cool during the day after freezing at night. This is a ground-breaking strategy that this desert state might employ to efficiently control heat that escapes or enters.
The project serves as both a proof of concept for real-world sustainability applications and a springboard for commercial success. Important parties like the Salt River Project (SRP), which supplies water and electricity to central Arizona, have taken notice of Aguayo and Arora’s startup, EnKoat. A two-year study on the roof of ASU’s preservation facility, equipped with sensors to track energy performance, is one example of a collaborative endeavor. In a statement that ASU News was able to get, Aguayo clarified that “it will also potentially provide custom rebate solutions for SRP customers and serve as a tool to educate the industry as a whole.”
Thermal energy storage (TES) materials are the technology that powers EnKoat’s product. Because they resist heat without gradually releasing harmful fumes, these materials are environmentally beneficial. “With IntelliKoat, as the temperature rises during the day, the particles change from solid to liquid,” Aguayo said in an interview with ASU News, describing the product. The conditions are in place for this creative solution to rapidly establish itself as an essential component of Southwestern infrastructure in addition to pushing commercial boundaries.
Beyond these initial victories, EnKoat has bigger plans. The business is already anticipating future uses for the technology, such as spray-on goods for vertical surfaces and extending its applicability in colder regions. Although they have concentrated on commercial roofing, their findings may have broader implications and help lower energy consumption nationwide.
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