A product developed by researchers at Purdue University that was recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s whitest paint has earned two major awards.
Purdue Professor Xiulin Ruan and his team have developed the world s whitest white paint (Credit: Joseph Peoples/Purdue University)
Given that white was one of the first colors used in art in the 15th century, one would think that there is little room left to improve its whiteness. It turns out that is far from the case. A team of researchers led by Xiulin Ruan, a professor of mechanical engineering at Indiana s Purdue University, recently revealed an ultra-white paint that they believe could even help combat climate change.
The scientists, who spent six years creating the world s whitest white paint, assert that the options currently available make surfaces warmer rather than cooler. That s because they only reflect 80 to 90 percent of the sunlight and cannot make the exterior cooler than the surrounding temperature. The newly-revealed ultra-white paint not only reflects 98.1 percent of sunlight, but also prevents surface infrared heat from being absorbed.