Machine Learning-Driven Scattering Efficiency Prediction in Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling

Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) has emerged as a promising, electricity-free cooling approach that reflects sunlight while radiating heat through the atmospheric transparent window. However, the design and optimization of PDRC materials remain challenging, requiring significant time and res...

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Main Authors: Changmin Shi, Jiayu Zheng, Ying Wang, Chenjie Gan, Liwen Zhang, Brian W. Sheldon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Atmosphere
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/1/95
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author Changmin Shi
Jiayu Zheng
Ying Wang
Chenjie Gan
Liwen Zhang
Brian W. Sheldon
author_facet Changmin Shi
Jiayu Zheng
Ying Wang
Chenjie Gan
Liwen Zhang
Brian W. Sheldon
author_sort Changmin Shi
collection DOAJ
description Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) has emerged as a promising, electricity-free cooling approach that reflects sunlight while radiating heat through the atmospheric transparent window. However, the design and optimization of PDRC materials remain challenging, requiring significant time and resources for experimental and numerical modeling efforts. In this work, we developed a machine learning (ML)-driven approach to predict scattering efficiency in the wavelength of 0.3–2.5 μm, with the aim of eventually optimizing the microstructural design of PDRC materials. By employing ML models such as linear regression, neural networks, and random forests, we aimed to predict and optimize the scattering efficiency across different pore sizes and mixed-pore-size configurations. As a result, the random forest model demonstrated superior prediction performance with minimal error, effectively capturing complex, non-linear interactions between material features. We also leveraged data transformation techniques such as one-hot encoding for generative predictions in mixed-pore-size configurations. The presented ML-driven platform serves as a valuable open resource for PDRC researchers, facilitating the rapid and cost-effective optimization of PDRC materials and accelerating the development of sustainable cooling technologies.
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spelling doaj-art-0943e7bca7a04e3eb6c9d7368e9eaa9f2025-01-24T13:22:00ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332025-01-011619510.3390/atmos16010095Machine Learning-Driven Scattering Efficiency Prediction in Passive Daytime Radiative CoolingChangmin Shi0Jiayu Zheng1Ying Wang2Chenjie Gan3Liwen Zhang4Brian W. Sheldon5School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USAData Science Institute, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USADepartment of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USASchool of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USADepartment of Mechanical, Aerospace & Biomedical Engineering, UT Space Institute, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37388, USASchool of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USAPassive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) has emerged as a promising, electricity-free cooling approach that reflects sunlight while radiating heat through the atmospheric transparent window. However, the design and optimization of PDRC materials remain challenging, requiring significant time and resources for experimental and numerical modeling efforts. In this work, we developed a machine learning (ML)-driven approach to predict scattering efficiency in the wavelength of 0.3–2.5 μm, with the aim of eventually optimizing the microstructural design of PDRC materials. By employing ML models such as linear regression, neural networks, and random forests, we aimed to predict and optimize the scattering efficiency across different pore sizes and mixed-pore-size configurations. As a result, the random forest model demonstrated superior prediction performance with minimal error, effectively capturing complex, non-linear interactions between material features. We also leveraged data transformation techniques such as one-hot encoding for generative predictions in mixed-pore-size configurations. The presented ML-driven platform serves as a valuable open resource for PDRC researchers, facilitating the rapid and cost-effective optimization of PDRC materials and accelerating the development of sustainable cooling technologies.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/1/95machine learningpredictionradiative coolingmaterials structure optimizationscattering efficiency
spellingShingle Changmin Shi
Jiayu Zheng
Ying Wang
Chenjie Gan
Liwen Zhang
Brian W. Sheldon
Machine Learning-Driven Scattering Efficiency Prediction in Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling
Atmosphere
machine learning
prediction
radiative cooling
materials structure optimization
scattering efficiency
title Machine Learning-Driven Scattering Efficiency Prediction in Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling
title_full Machine Learning-Driven Scattering Efficiency Prediction in Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling
title_fullStr Machine Learning-Driven Scattering Efficiency Prediction in Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling
title_full_unstemmed Machine Learning-Driven Scattering Efficiency Prediction in Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling
title_short Machine Learning-Driven Scattering Efficiency Prediction in Passive Daytime Radiative Cooling
title_sort machine learning driven scattering efficiency prediction in passive daytime radiative cooling
topic machine learning
prediction
radiative cooling
materials structure optimization
scattering efficiency
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/1/95
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AT yingwang machinelearningdrivenscatteringefficiencypredictioninpassivedaytimeradiativecooling
AT chenjiegan machinelearningdrivenscatteringefficiencypredictioninpassivedaytimeradiativecooling
AT liwenzhang machinelearningdrivenscatteringefficiencypredictioninpassivedaytimeradiativecooling
AT brianwsheldon machinelearningdrivenscatteringefficiencypredictioninpassivedaytimeradiativecooling