COSMOS MAGAZINE
Scientists in Saudi Arabia have developed a nanomaterial coating called nanoPE that improves LED streetlight cooling by allowing heat to escape while reflecting visible light.
NanoPE reflects visible light but transmits infrared light. Credit: Ivan Gromicho / King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
This innovation enhances energy efficiency, extending LED lifespan and reducing electricity consumption, which is significant since streetlighting accounts for 1–3% of global electricity demand.
In tests, the coating lowered LED temperatures by up to 7.8°C in the lab and improved efficiency by approximately 5%, leading to potential energy savings of 1.9 terawatt-hours annually in the U.S.
The resulting reduction in CO₂ emissions could reach 1.3 million metric tons, contributing to more sustainable urban lighting.