Laser-tuned polymer surface switches between cooling and heating modes without consuming electricity

Researchers at Seoul National University have unveiled a thermal management technology capable of selectively implementing cooling and heating functions using a single material and process, without requiring electricity.

The technology developed by Professor Seung Hwan Ko's research team in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at SNU is drawing attention as an innovative solution that replaces existing complex processes. It enables the same transparent silicon polymer material to be processed into either a cooling or heating surface simply by adjusting the intensity of laser output, without consuming electricity.

The paper, titled "Monolithic Integration of Radiative Cooling and Solar Heating Functionalities by Laser-induced Pyrolysis," is published in the journal Joule.

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