In a recent article from Archinect News, it stated that "recycled paper could cool buildings without electricity, says researchers."

The article goes on to state:

"A team of researchers from Northeastern University (located in Boston, MA) has created a sustainable material that can cool buildings without the need for conventional AC systems. Led by associate professor Yi Zheng from the university's College of Engineering, the team has developed a cooling paper made from 100% recyclable paper, intended to cover the roofs of houses, warehouses and office buildings, as well as being incorporated into the construction of new buildings.

The cooling paper reduces heat gain in two ways. The paper's light color reflects warm solar rays away from a building. Meanwhile, the porous microstructure of the natural fibers in the cooling paper absorbs warmth generated inside the building, from electronic, cooking and human body sources, and re-emits the warmth to the exterior.

Using a high-speed blender, Zheng made a pulp from the paper waste before reforming it into a water-repelling cooling paper to coat buildings.

Through testing the paper's cooling capacity under various temperature and humidity conditions, Zheng and his team found that the cooling paper could reduce a room's temperature by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The team also found that the material can be used, exposed to solar radiation and weather, then reduced to a pulp again and reformed into a new iteration without losing any of its cooling properties."

To learn more about Northeastern University's research, please click here.