Multifunctional radiative cooling materials: A transformative pathway for zero-energy food preservation and postharvest management

Background

Global food security is facing mounting pressure from postharvest losses, energy-intensive refrigeration, and carbon emissions associated with conventional cold chains. Radiative cooling (RC) offers a passive, zero-energy solution for thermal management, but its ideal cooling performance and single-functionality cannot meet the requirements for food applications. Nevertheless, recent breakthroughs in RC materials have dramatically enhanced both cooling capacity and multifunctionality. These advances establish a critical connection between fundamental thermodynamics and scalable applications, positioning RC as a transformative technology for food preservation and postharvest management.

Scope and approach

This review introduced multifunctional RC strategies tailored for food systems, bridging fundamental principles with real-world implementation challenges. We critically evaluate: (1) Mechanisms governing radiative heat transfer and development of RC materials; (2) Hybrid systems integrating evaporative cooling, thermal insulation, and antimicrobial functions, as well as scale manufacturing technologies of RC materials; (3) Applications across food preservation and postharvest management (fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, cold chain logistics) as well as food production (greenhouse cladding, soil mulches); (4) Critical challenges and future directions for sustainable thermal management in the food sector.

Key findings and conclusions

The functional hybrid strategy of RC materials not only overcomes cooling power limits, but also imparts antibacterial properties, making them suitable for food preservation and postharvest management. Spectral tunability in RC materials enables efficient utilization of solar light by crops, thereby enhancing food production. Large-scale manufacturing enables the practical application of these technologies in the food sector. These findings highlight how multifunctional RC materials emerge as viable, zero-energy solutions for sustainable food systems, reducing postharvest losses while enhancing food production.