A new polymer-based material allows sunlight to enter, maintains a more comfortable indoor climate without additional energy, and cleans itself like a lotus leaf. The new development could replace glass components in walls and roofs. The Polymer-based Micro-Photonic Multi-Functional Metamaterial consists of microscopic pyramids made of silicone measuring about ten micrometers (about one-tenth the diameter of a hair). This design gives the PMMM film several functions: light diffusion, self-cleaning, and radiative cooling while maintaining a high level of transparency. A key feature is the ability to efficiently radiate heat through the Earth’s atmosphere’s long-wave infrared transmission window, releasing heat from the interior. It allows for passive radiative cooling without electricity consumption.
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