Endothermic Paint: Absorbing Heat and Keeping Cool

[dnorric]

Ok so there's this paint that has been produced which contains small glass beads. When painted on to a wall it acts as insulation. Very good insulation in fact. I was listening to a radio show where a person was talking about it and he described that it was endothermic in nature. Now i know what endothermic is. In a chemical reaction energy is absorbed from the outside system. In this case something is being done, that is a reaction. How ever with the paint it is already dried. They describe the paint as being cool to the touch out in the dessert. If its endothermic, where is the energy going? Whats it doing work on?
Cheers
Damian

 

[mgb_phys]

They almost certainly didn't mean endothermic.
And it will only act as an insulator in that it reflects sunlight - paint is too thin to be an efficient insulator.

 

[dnorric]

Thanks mgb_phys. The paint has tiny glass spheres added to it and was developed in cooperation with nasa. Heres a link
http://www.thermilate.com.au/
Yeah that's what i thought. I am sure he said endothermic though, have to relisten.
Cheers
Damian

 

[jmatejka]

Chrome engines look nice at car shows, but you don't see much chrome at the dragstrip. Chrome reflects heat internally resulting in a hotter running engine.

The reverse is also true, most high performance, high compression motorcycle engines are black, aestetics is not the only reason for this. Ever notice most water cooled engine radiators are black in color?

Solar heating devices and refridgeration equipment use color and "paint" to their advantage as well.

Two identical metalic objects, one painted metalized silver(white may work as well, or better in some instances), the other flat black, heated in an oven. Typically, when taken out, the flat black object will lose heat more quickly. Yes there are many variables, but I have done this experiment with two quarters, taken to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.