Professor Bonghoon Kim’s research team, in collaboration with professors from KAIST and Korea University, has developed a groundbreaking “3D Smart Energy Device” that can provide both reversible heating and cooling capabilities. This device has been recognized for its excellence and practicality, earning the cover article feature in the international journal Advanced Materials. With heating and cooling accounting for around 50% of global energy consumption and contributing to environmental issues such as global warming and air pollution, this innovative technology offers a promising solution.
Solar absorption and radiative cooling devices that utilize the sun and outdoor air as heat sources are gaining interest as eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives. However, many existing devices are limited in function, focusing only on either heating or cooling, while larger systems lack adjustability. To address these challenges, Prof. Kim’s team developed a 3D Smart Energy Device that combines both heating and cooling functions within a single device. This mechanism involves a unique structure that opens through a mechanical peeling process to expose a lower layer for radiative cooling, and closes to absorb solar heat for heating.
The team conducted tests on various substrates, including skin, glass, steel, aluminum, copper, and polyimide, showcasing the device’s ability to control its heating and cooling performance by adjusting the angle of the 3D structure. This capability to modulate thermal properties offers an efficient solution for reducing energy consumption in both temperature-controlled buildings and electronic devices at macro and micro scales. Prof. Kim expressed his pride in having their research selected as the cover article of the prestigious journal, emphasizing their goal of applying these findings in industrial and building settings to help decrease energy usage.
The research was supported by the “Global Bioconvergence Interfacing Leading Research Center (ERC)” and the “Nano and Materials Technology Development Project” of the National Research Foundation of Korea. These results were published in Advanced Materials, where they were highlighted as the cover article, recognizing the significance and impact of this innovative technology. The development of the 3D Smart Energy Device represents a significant contribution to addressing the energy consumption challenges associated with heating and cooling, offering a versatile and practical solution for sustainable energy usage.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Prof. Bonghoon Kim and his colleagues from other prestigious institutions has led to the successful creation of a groundbreaking 3D Smart Energy Device with reversible heating and cooling capabilities. This innovative technology offers a promising solution to the environmental issues caused by excessive energy consumption in heating and cooling applications. With its recognition in the international journal Advanced Materials as the cover article, this research highlights the importance and impact of developing sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for various applications in industries and buildings.