Announcing Business Commencement of “SPACECOOL”, a Radiative Sky Cooling Material that Boasts One of the Highest Levels of Cooling Performance in the World.
SPACECOOL INC. (CEO: Takayuki Hoshuyama), is an open innovation joint venture between WiL, LLC and Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. The company will begin operations, marketing, and production of its radiative sky cooling material “SPACECOOL” in May 2021, with sales planned to start this summer.
This radiative sky cooling*1 material dissipates heat into space in direct sunlight, enabling it to lower its temperature more than the ambient temperature without using energy. In a demonstration test conducted by Osaka Gas in the summer of 2020, the surface temperature of the material was confirmed to be up to approximately 6°C*2 lower than the ambient temperature in direct sunlight. Thus, it has achieved a level of radiative sky cooling performance that is among the highest in the world*3.
We have already developed two types of products: film and canvas. We expect these to be used to moderate hot environments such as inside truck cargo areas, membrane structures and shipping container storage sheds.
Hereafter, we hope to promote further energy conservation throughout society and help to combat global warming by forging alliances with various businesses through which we aim to provide value to people, business and the environment. We will provide values like comfort & safety to people by preventing heat stroke and keeping perishable food cool. We will provide values to business including stability by preventing overheating of outdoor equipment and devices, efficient use of space, and cost reduction. And we will provide values like improving the environment and curtailing greenhouse gas emissions by delivering natural coolness in a safe, electricity-free way for all.
*1: A phenomenon by which heat is carried away from heated objects as electromagnetic waves (light)
*2: Measured at Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. Energy Technology Laboratories in Osaka’s Konohana Ward (Ambient temperature at time of measurement: Approx. 35°C)
Temperature measured on the reverse-side of a steel plate covered with radiative sky cooling material.
*3: Based on research conducted by our company and Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. using published research papers.
1. Our radiative sky cooling material "SPACECOOL"
2. Technology of "SPACECOOL" material
Our material stays cool without electricity by limiting heat absorption through blocking heat from sunlight and the atmosphere, as well as radiating heat into space.
3. Summary of experiment and results
Measured at Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. Energy Technology Laboratories in Osaka’s Konohana Ward (Ambient temperature at time of measurement: Approx. 35°C) Temperature measured on the reverse-side of a steel plate covered with radiative sky cooling material. SPACECOOL demonstrates a cooling capability equivalent to 70 to 100 W/m2.
4. Company Overview
<SPACECOOL株式会社>
Head office | 4F ARCH, Toranomon Hills Business Tower, 1-17-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan |
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Representative | Takayuki Hoshuyama, CEO |
Established | April 1, 2021 |
Shareholder distribution | WiL 51%, Osaka Gas 49% |
Business overview | Sales and consulting related to energy conservation; sales and consulting for products intended to improve the environment. |
Head office | 102 University Ave. 1A Palo Alto, CA 94301, US |
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Representative | Gen Isayama, General Partner & CEO |
Website | https://wilab.com |
Head office | 4-1-2 Hiranomachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka, Japan |
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Representative | Masataka Fujiwara, President |
Website | https://www.osakagas.co.jp/en |