Enhancing the Transparency–Temperature Trade‐Off Through Spectral Engineering and Radiative Cooling

Excess solar heat gain limits greenhouse productivity in tropical climates, where conventional polymer covers accumulate thermal energy and allow near‐infrared (NIR) transmission. Here, we demonstrate a scalable multilayer greenhouse film that mitigates daytime heat stress through spectral management of solar radiation combined with radiative cooling. A TiO 2 ‐embedded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) scattering layer is laminated with ultraviolet (UV)–IR selective films to prevent excess heat while allowing appropriate photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmission. Two configurations are designed to address crop‐dependent light requirements: a higher‐transmittance film (∼57% PAR) and a stronger heat‐rejection film (∼37% PAR). The multilayer structures suppress NIR transmission (up to 80–92% rejection), reduce UV exposure, and exhibit near‐unity emissivity within the 8–13 µm atmospheric window (ε¯ ≈ 0.99), enabling efficient radiative heat dissipation. Outdoor rooftop measurements under tropical sunlight demonstrate consistent daytime temperature reductions of 3–5°C compared with those of commercial greenhouse films; the PET‐based laminate also provides high mechanical robustness (69–92 MPa tensile strength). These results establish spectral engineering as a practical strategy to manage the transparency–cooling trade‐off for passive greenhouse cooling in hot climates.

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Publication Details

Journal
Small Science
Published
2026-05-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/smsc.70311
Primary Topic
Thermal Radiation and Cooling Technologies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Enhancing the Transparency–Temperature Trade‐Off Through Spectral Engineering and Radiative Cooling

Taweesak Kaewmanee, Chaowaphat Seriwattanachai, T Waritanant, Patawee Sakata et al.
Small Science
Thermal Radiation and Cooling Technologies
article

Enhancing the Transparency–Temperature Trade‐Off Through Spectral Engineering and Radiative Cooling

Taweesak Kaewmanee, Chaowaphat Seriwattanachai, T Waritanant, Patawee Sakata, Worawut Rueangsawang, Pongsakorn Kanjanaboos, Wachara Benchaphanthawee, Tatpong Tulyananda, Chattrarat Ponghiransmith, N. Phuphathanaphong, Thantham Jittham, Varakorn Phiriyasas, Pharit Gridtayawong, Phatratorn Wonganannont, Napong Tangwiroon, Tansuda Pinpapat
article en

Abstract

Excess solar heat gain limits greenhouse productivity in tropical climates, where conventional polymer covers accumulate thermal energy and allow near‐infrared (NIR) transmission. Here, we demonstrate a scalable multilayer greenhouse film that mitigates daytime heat stress through spectral management of solar radiation combined with radiative cooling. A TiO 2 ‐embedded polyethylene terephthalate (PET) scattering layer is laminated with ultraviolet (UV)–IR selective films to prevent excess heat while allowing appropriate photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmission. Two configurations are designed to address crop‐dependent light requirements: a higher‐transmittance film (∼57% PAR) and a stronger heat‐rejection film (∼37% PAR). The multilayer structures suppress NIR transmission (up to 80–92% rejection), reduce UV exposure, and exhibit near‐unity emissivity within the 8–13 µm atmospheric window (ε¯ ≈ 0.99), enabling efficient radiative heat dissipation. Outdoor rooftop measurements under tropical sunlight demonstrate consistent daytime temperature reductions of 3–5°C compared with those of commercial greenhouse films; the PET‐based laminate also provides high mechanical robustness (69–92 MPa tensile strength). These results establish spectral engineering as a practical strategy to manage the transparency–cooling trade‐off for passive greenhouse cooling in hot climates.

Small ScienceVol. 6(6)
Mahidol University (TH), Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics (TH)
Climate action
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Thermal Radiation and Cooling Technologies
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