Nissan is testing an innovative new car paint that promises to significantly reduce cabin temperatures during the summer,
thus reducing the energy needed for air conditioning and increasing passenger comfort. This technological development, carried out in collaboration with Radi-Cool, a company specializing in radiant cooling products, represents a step forward towards more sustainable mobility and improved driving comfort.
The cooling paint developed by Nissan contains synthetic composite metamaterials with unique properties not found in nature. These innovative materials allow to reflect solar rays and disperse heat efficiently. The technology is based on two microstructure particles: one reflects near-infrared solar rays, while the other generates electromagnetic waves that counteract the heat, thus lowering the temperature of the external surfaces of the vehicle.
In November 2023, Nissan has begun a 12-month test phase at Tokyo Haneda International Airport. In collaboration with Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd., Radi-Cool Japan, and All Nippon Airways (ANA) Airport Service, the cooling paint was applied to a Nissan NV100 used by ANA. Haneda Airport, with its wide runways and high summer temperatures, provided an ideal environment to evaluate the paint’s performance in real-world conditions.
The first test results were impressive. The vehicle treated with the coolant paint recorded external surface temperatures 12 degrees Celsius lower and internal temperatures 5 degrees Celsius lower than a vehicle with conventional paint, when parked in the sun. This performance improves further when the vehicle is exposed to the sun for extended periods.
A cooler cabin in summer not only increases passenger comfort, but also reduces the use of air conditioning, which saves energy. This is especially important for electric vehicles, as the use of air conditioning can significantly reduce battery range. Even for vehicles with internal combustion engines, less need for air conditioning leads to lower fuel consumption.
Dr. Susumu MiuraSenior Manager and Expert at Nissan Research Center’s Advanced Materials and Processing Laboratory, led the development of this technology. Miura, known for his work on Nissan’s acoustic material for noise reduction, has spent much of his career studying ways to make cars quieter, cooler and more efficient
“My ambition is to create cars cooler without consuming energy,” Miura said. “This is especially important for electric vehicles, where the use of air conditioning can significantly impact battery charge.
The paint for radiant cooling, Typically used for buildings, it has been adapted for automotive use. The main challenge was to make the product light enough to be used in clear coats and applied with a spray gun, while meeting Nissan’s stringent quality standards. Since 2021, Miura and his team have tested more than 100 samples and are working to achieve a paint thickness of 120 microns, resistant to salt spray, chipping, scratching and chemical reactions.
In addition to cars, the cooling paint could offer great benefits for light commercial vehicles, trucks and ambulances, which often operate in high-temperature conditions. Miura and his team continue to explore increasingly thinner solutions with a wide range of color options, while ensuring the same cooling performance.
This project is an integral part of Nissan’s efforts to develop technologies that improve driving comfort and promote more sustainable mobility, thus contributing to the creation of a cleaner and more environmentally friendly society.
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