A paint that cools buildings whilst simultaneously harvesting water from the air has been unveiled by scientists at the University of Sydney, Australia. The nano-engineered polymer was created in conjunction with startup Dewpoint Innovations, and reflects sunlight, cooling buildings by up to 6°C inside. The fresh water dew is then harvested and can be used as water for animals, for horticulture of high-value plants, for use in cooling by misting, or even for use in hydrogen production. “While humid conditions are ideal [for the paint], dew can form even in arid and semi-arid regions where night-time humidity rises. It’s not about replacing rainfall but supplementing it – providing water where and when other sources become limited.