Multimode Adaptive Thermoregulation Enabled by Shape Morphing and Radiative Cooling Porous Polyurethane
The rising frequency of extreme weather events necessitates energy‐efficient thermal regulation technologies. A multimode adaptive thermoregulation design that surpasses traditional dual‐mode systems by providing precise, dynamic control over heating and cooling is developed. This design utilizes unique porous thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) integrating passive radiative cooling with shape‐morphing capabilities. Unlike conventional radiative cooling materials that primarily possess fixed thermal properties, the porous TPU combines high solar reflectance (95.1%) and midinfrared emissivity (88.5% in the 8–13 μm range) with directional strain‐induced shape transformation capabilities by local thermal deformation. Additionally, streamlined transitions between multithermal modes are realized by dynamically programming the TPU folding angle in combination with a photothermal layer. This adaptive design offers a versatile, energy‐efficient solution for thermal management in building and industrial infrastructure, specifically addressing the challenges posed by fluctuating weather conditions.
Authors
- Kai Xiang Zhou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4653-6436)
- Ho Kun Woo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5904-8082)
- Pranto Karua
- Lili Cai (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1222-248X)
- Yoon Young Choi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9524-1621)
- Shan Tang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6290-4265)
Institutions
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Engineering Materials
- Published
- 2025-09-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202501580
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Thermal Radiation and Cooling Technologies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.95