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"CM" <cm@cm.not.really> wrote in message =
news:cTB2g.701$Vn.558@newsread4.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>=20
> One of those odd discoveries in physics was that a surface that was a =
good=20
> absorber of certain wavelengths of electromagnetic waves would, under =
the=20
> right conditions, be a good emitter of the same wavelengths. Thus, a=20
> surface that readily absorbs infrared light, when warmed, will emit=20
> infrared light. Surfaces that reflect tend to be poor emitters.
>=20
> However, it is possible to create a surface that readily absorbs =
visible=20
> light, but reflects infrared and is a poor emitter of infrared. Very =
thin=20
> black coating on a polished reflective metal surface. Such surfaces =
work=20
> extremely well for solar heating.
>=20
> I wonder if it might be possible to create a surface that reflects =
visible=20
> light, but strongly emits infrared? Would be good for cooling =
purposes.
>=20
> CM
>=20
>
I could envision flying over the US from north to south and seeing =
black
roofs in the north and white roofs in the south. That might save natural =
gas=20
for heating in the north and electricity for cooling in the south. =
Perhaps one
simple but effective solution.
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