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Thermal paint coatings have been around for many years, primarily used in commercial structures like schools and skyscrapers to maintain cooler indoor temperatures. However, typical thermal coatings can’t be applied to vehicles because they need to be lightweight, thin, and durable—all traits that conventional thermal coatings lack. Nissan is currently developing a unique automotive cooling paint that is reportedly showing promising results during testing.
Nissan refers to this innovation as “cool paint.” Essentially, it’s a white paint designed to reflect solar energy. A cooler car interior means less reliance on air conditioning, which is especially advantageous for electric vehicles, where air conditioning use significantly affects energy consumption. Nissan has begun showcasing this new paint by applying it to service vans at the Tokyo International Air Terminal, commencing a 12-month feasibility study with the airport.
When the coated vans were parked next to standard-painted vehicles at the airport, which has minimal shade, Nissan found that the interior temperatures of the treated vehicles were about 9 degrees Fahrenheit cooler. This significant difference enhances comfort and could greatly lessen air conditioning demand, which is crucial for extending the range of electric vehicles. While Nissan does not clarify whether both cars were painted white for that comparison, their “cool paint” seems to outperform conventional white paints, as demonstrated by the images.
“My dream is to create cooler cars without consuming energy,” said Dr. Susumu Miura, a senior manager at Nissan’s Advanced Materials and Processing Laboratory. “This is particularly important in the era of electric vehicles, where the drain from running air conditioning in warm weather can significantly affect battery charge levels.”
Nissan understands that it is not the only company pursuing thermal coatings for automobiles. However, the company asserts that its method is distinctive due to two specific types of microstructured particles used. One type reflects near-infrared rays that typically generate heat through molecular vibrations in traditional paint resins, while the second type generates electromagnetic fields that deflect sunlight and send energy back into the atmosphere. Moreover, Nissan’s coating can be sprayed on cars in a manner that is both effective and scalable.
Unlike conventional thick thermal coatings that require rollers for application, Nissan’s cool paint is designed to be sprayed on cars in thin layers of just 120 microns, significantly thinner than the typical thickness of 400 to 800 microns found in many thermal paints. Additionally, while most thermal paints cannot accommodate a clear top coat, Nissan’s formulation allows for one, providing protection against scratches, rock chips, and other wear and tear that automotive paint must withstand over time.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. The cost of this specialized paint is expected to be high. Furthermore, while 120 microns is thinner than most thermal options, it still adds more weight than standard car paint layers. Nissan is exploring various thicknesses and colors for its cool paint, aiming to make it viable for regular road vehicles in the future.
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