The Cool Roof Time Machine, winner of a 2016 R&D 100 Award, simulates soiling and weathering processes in the lab, reproducing in less than three days the solar reflectance of roofing products naturally aged for three years. Published as ASTM Standard D7897-15, this method is the basis of the Cool Roof Rating Council’s Rapid Ratings program. This process is about 400X faster than natural exposure, costs about 80 percent less for testing a single product, can facilitate rapid prototyping and can avoid three years of lost sales worth $4.5 million to $9 million per product. The Cool Roof Time Machine will speed the introduction of high-performance cool roofs both in the United States and globally. Cool roofs can lower a building’s energy use and mitigate the urban heat island effect by reflecting sunlight away from buildings and cities. It was created by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and co-developed by Concordia University.
Each year for more than 50 years, R&D Magazine has honored the 100 best innovations in research and development. We are currently accepting applications for the 2017 R&D 100 Awards. Innovators with an exceptional product developed between January 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017 should apply. Submissions close April 14, 2017
For information on the 55th Annual R&D 100 Awards and to enter visit http://www.rd100conference.com
