In a world that is warming up quickly, efficiently cooling our houses in the summer with less energy use and fewer greenhouse gas emissions is essential to reaching carbon reduction targets.

A group of Chinese scientists have used DNA, the genetic code that makes life, to create an innovative biomass-derived substance.

Even in the face of strong solar radiation, this aerogel shows a surprising capacity to lower surrounding temperatures by 16 degrees Celsius on sunny days.

The researchers used gelatin and DNA to create an organized, layered aerogel structure that produces remarkable radiative cooling by converting absorbed UV light into visible light and exceeding 100% solar reflectance.

Reducing environmental pollution can be achieved by using radiative cooling materials based on biopolymers, as per a study published in the journal Science on Friday.

Furthermore, these aerogels exhibit exceptional reparability, recyclability, and biodegradability. They were effectively produced on a wide scale via water welding.

According to Zhao Haibo, the corresponding author of the article from Sichuan University, this aerogel material has the potential to significantly improve the energy efficiency of urban design by acting as an external protective layer.

The study's modelling results show a significant decrease in the yearly energy use for building cooling in all of the cities that were modelled.

According to Zhao, the new aerogel has the potential to drastically cut energy and carbon emissions while also opening the door for more innovative and sustainable radiative cooling materials in the future.

China has committed to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 and to peak carbon emissions by 2030.