Purdue University's Ultra-White Paint Sets Guinness Record for Reflectivity and Cooling

A team at Purdue University in Indiana, US, led by mechanical engineering professor Xiulin Ruan, has developed an acrylic paint that holds the Guinness World Record as the world's whitest. The project, which began about seven years ago, was motivated by climate change concerns, aiming to reduce energy use by cooling buildings. The paint reflects up to 98.1% of sunlight, a property enhanced by barium sulfate for greater spectral scattering. It can lower outdoor surface temperatures by 19 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 8 degrees during midday. Artists have inquired about obtaining the paint, with samples sent to museum collections. The initiative represents a practical response to global warming, focusing on sustainable cooling solutions.