Challenges and Opportunities for Passive Thermoregulation

Abstract

The unsustainable nature of energy‐intensive and environmentally unfriendly traditional air conditioning systems, compacted with recent climate change effects, show an urgent need for more sustainable and efficient thermoregulation solutions. Innovations in passive daytime radiative coolers (PDRCs) and selective solar absorbers (SSAs), which utilize natural resources, the “cold” outer space and “hot” sun from the sky, offer an environmentally friendly and cost‐effective alternative. However, various factors significantly impede the commercial viability of these technologies, such as lack of emphasis on advancements for practical application, the challenge of reversible functionality between PDRCs and SSAs, inconsistent performance evaluation, and the absence of effective mass production strategies. Here current challenges and future development trends of PDRC and SSA‐aided innovation are discussed. Specifically, challenges and opportunities relating to application conditions, evaluation parameter standardization, and strategies are considered for large‐scale production, all of which are critical for realizing the full potential of PDRCs and SSAs.