Scientists in Hong Kong have demonstrated a new ultra-white ceramic material that can drastically cool buildings by reflecting sunlight and heat at record highs. The beetle-inspired material gets its ability from its nanostructure, stays tough to the elements and should be relatively easy to scale…

Ultra-white ceramic cools buildings with record-high 99.6% reflectivity::undefined

    • maniii@lemmy.worldEnglish
      8·
      1 year ago

      I can guarantee that a Rooftop Terrace garden cuts down almost 40% to 60% heat ever reaching the ceiling. If you have enough cover with smaller plants under larger bushes/shrubs/small trees then there will be a cool breeze around the terrace, provide nesting places for small birds and animals, a pocket of nature in an otherwise concrete heat jungle.

      The problem is who can afford to maintain the Terrace garden is the bigger challenge. Constantly checking soil, composting, watering, maintenance and just time+expense is usually beyond a lot of folks.

      • phx@lemmy.caEnglish
        7·
        1 year ago

        It would be cool to bring back for apartment buildings though

        • Kusimulkku@lemm.eeEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          Going back to flat roofs and adding plants and soil to the mix sounds like a recipe for some major water leakage issues.

          Would be cool to have rooftop gardens though