Saudi Arabia: KAUST Researchers Develop Nanoplastic For Sustainable Street Lighting

Lighting accounts for roughly 20% of global electricity use and contributes to nearly 6% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. A recent study involving King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) reveals that nanomaterials can greatly cut carbon emissions from LED streetlights. The research highlights how a specific nanomaterial, nanoPE, enhances thermal radiation emission from LEDs, thereby lowering their temperature.

LEDs are known for their efficiency and long life, but they still lose about 75% of input energy as heat. This innovation could extend the lifespan of LEDs by reducing the heat that typically damages their electronics.

KAUST Professor Qiaoqiang Gan stated: "LEDs are preferred light sources because of their superior efficiency and lifespan. But small enhancements can improve them even more, and that can make a big difference on sustainability because even small improvements have a big effect when used everywhere."

Dr. Hussam Qasem, General Manager at KACST's Future Energy Technologies Institute, noted: "Our design significantly improves LED cooling while maintaining high illumination efficiency, making it a promising solution for sustainable lighting in Saudi Arabia." The typical design of LED streetlights directs light downward to illuminate objects below. However, with nanoPE coating, these lights are inverted to face upwards.

The inversion is crucial because nanoPE allows infrared light responsible for thermal radiation to pass through while reflecting visible light. This means over 80% of infrared light escapes into the sky, while more than 95% of visible light reflects back to the ground, effectively lighting up the area beneath.

NanoPE is derived from polyethylene, a common plastic. Researchers engineered this material by creating tiny pores—about 30 nm wide—into the plastic and then stretching it into a thin sheet. These modifications enable nanoPE to reflect low-wavelength visible light while allowing high-wavelength infrared light to pass through.

This innovative approach not only optimises LED performance but also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing energy waste. The findings were published in the journal "Light: Science & Applications." The study involved contributions from KAUST Professors Osman Bakr and Boon Ooi, postdoctoral researcher Saichao Dang, master's student Hasan H. Almahfoudh, and KACST Assistant Professor Abdulrahman M. Alajlan.

With inputs from SPA