The modern development of new plastic surfaces and glazings for greenhouses has permitted construction of greenhouses which selectively control the transmittance of both incoming solar radiation wavelengths and outgoing thermal IR wavelengths.
The new materials also provide insulation to reduce conductive loss through the glazing in order to better control the growing environment. The research starts with the blocking of convective heat loss as a given in an isolated system and works toward improving IR absorption and insulation to further reduce radiative and conductive energy loss.
Gardeners sometimes use a "greenhouse-in-a-greenhouse" technique, in which they lay additional IR absorbent plastic sheeting inside a greenhouse in order to provide additional warmth in an isolated area to plants or water pipes.Another practical application of the greenhouse effect is in the creation of solar cookers. The analysis compares the thermodynamic properties of several solar cooker designs.
The new materials also provide insulation to reduce conductive loss through the glazing in order to better control the growing environment. The research starts with the blocking of convective heat loss as a given in an isolated system and works toward improving IR absorption and insulation to further reduce radiative and conductive energy loss.
Gardeners sometimes use a "greenhouse-in-a-greenhouse" technique, in which they lay additional IR absorbent plastic sheeting inside a greenhouse in order to provide additional warmth in an isolated area to plants or water pipes.Another practical application of the greenhouse effect is in the creation of solar cookers. The analysis compares the thermodynamic properties of several solar cooker designs.
