Cool Blue Pigment Could Cut Cooling Costs

Jun-05-12 An eco-friendly blue pigment discovered accidentally a few years ago has now been found to have powerful heat-reflecting characteristics.

Discovered by chance by scientists at Oregon State University, the "cool blue" pigment has an infrared heat reflectivity of about 40 percent, which is much higher than current blue pigments. It adds a new element to "cool roofing," which uses paints to reflect heat and reduce cooling costs and usually relies on lighter colors.

Researchers also believe that the new pigment is the possibly the best blue pigment created since ancient times. Although popular, blue pigments are often toxic, expensive, or quick to decay.

Image: The unusual "trigonal bipyramidal" crystalline structure seen here is being used by researchers at Oregon State University to create a range of new pigments with properties of safety and stability that should have important applications in the paint and pigment industries. (Graphic courtesy of Oregon State University)

More Info about this Invention:

[GIZMAG.COM]
[OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY]

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