In a city where summer temperatures often sizzle above 80°F, UCLA engineers have cooked up a refreshing solution to urban heat: a see-through cooling tent that makes outdoor spaces feel 10°F cooler. The innovation, featured as the June cover story in Nature Sustainability, combines water-cooled metal panels with transparent film to create cooling zones that work better than shade alone. The cooling system offers relief for heat-vulnerable communities while preserving visibility and safety—critical requirements for public spaces. For people who must be outdoors during heat waves, like street vendors, transit riders, or park visitors, this technology provides a practical cooling … Continue reading Water-Cooled Panels + Infrared Film: UCLA Engineers Create 10°F Cooler Public Spaces