Nissan is testing paint that could help lower cabin temperatures and reduce energy use from air conditioning. After months of testing, Nissan’s innovative heat-dissipating paint technology is showing promising results.
Nissan has partnered with Radi-Cool, a company specializing in radiative cooling products, to create a groundbreaking automotive paint designed to significantly reduce vehicle temperatures. The new paint technology has shown promising results in early tests, with interior temperatures dropping by up to 9 degrees Fahrenheit and exterior surface temperatures by nearly 22 degrees Fahrenheit.
The cooling effect is achieved through metamaterials embedded in the paint. This “metamaterial,” is a composite that contains two types of particles that react to light, according to Nissan. One particle reflects near-infrared rays from sunlight that would typically cause heat-generating molecular-level vibrations in paint resin. The other redirects energy away from the surface via electromagnetic rays.
Together, the two particles reduce the transfer of heat into painted surfaces, Nissan claims. Parked side-by-side in sunlight, a vehicle with the cooling paint showed a 21.6-degree Fahrenheit reduction in exterior surface temperature and a 9-degree Fahrenheit reduction in cabin temperature, according to the automaker.
This type of cooling paint isn’t new, but it’s typically used only for buildings, Nissan explains in the release. It’s often very thick, requiring a paint roller to apply, and lacks a top clear coat like automotive paint, leaving a chalky residue when touched.
The innovative paint has been tested since November 2023 at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, a location chosen for its challenging conditions, where vehicles are exposed to prolonged periods of intense sunlight. Vehicles coated with the new paint demonstrated remarkable temperature reductions compared to those with standard finishes, making it a promising solution for heat management.
However, before this technology is ready for widespread use, there are still hurdles to overcome. The current paint being tested is 120 microns thick, which is six times thicker than regular automotive paint. Additionally, Nissan is working on expanding the color options beyond the initial white, as consumer preferences vary.
Nissan plans to first introduce this cool paint technology in commercial vehicles, such as delivery vans and long-distance trucks. Over time, there is potential for the paint to become available for regular passenger cars, offering a practical and innovative way to beat the heat.
Source: Nissan, August 6, 2024
