Reversible solar heating and radiative cooling coupled with latent heat for self-adaptive thermoregulation.

This article focuses on a self-adaptive thermoregulation strategy that integrates reversible solar heating and radiative cooling with latent heat storage and release to improve dynamic thermal management. The system employs a multi-layer structure combining a solar selective absorber (SSA), a radiative cooler (RC), a commercial memory alloy, and a high thermal conductivity phase change material (PCM) composed of paraffin embedded in porous graphene foam. The memory alloy enables switching between heating and cooling modes at a critical temperature of approximately 30 °C, while the PCM buffers temperature fluctuations by storing or releasing latent heat. Experimental results demonstrate enhanced heating and cooling performance compared to single-mode systems, with potential annual energy savings of 68%–90% relative to conventional roofs across various Chinese cities. This approach highlights the effectiveness of coupling spectral regulation with latent heat for energy-efficient, self-adaptive thermal management.