October at Temperate: Redirecting Infrared Radiation
What we did in October
Keeping infrared radiation pointed in the right direction. Our new mechanical engineer is evolving the way we coat cooling panels, and early results are strong: we went from 20%→ 36% of IR radiation now emitted in the intended direction. This has boosted per-panel cooling performance but we’re aiming for 50+% in order to start shipping our pilot units.
Our first formal board meeting. We held our first structured board meeting—with formal notes and decision points—and it proved genuinely useful. The board confirmed that our primary path remains a split-type AC replacement as our first product in market. We’ve now scheduled technical feasibility check-ins for January and February, backed by a clear roadmap to get us there. By the end of February, we’ll make a definitive call on which unit goes to market first.
Plans for November
More cooling in the same unit. Once we get the IR radiation onto it’s assigned path, we can reduce the spacing between our internal components from 7 cm down to 4 cm, giving us room to fit more cooling panels inside the same size unit. The new panels are also significantly lighter, meaning the system can be easily lifted and mounted on a wall.
Upgrading the home lab. To speed technical R&D, Fergus is upgrading our setup with lab-grade workbenches, new shelving, Raspberry Pi control stack, proper cable management, and an upgraded panel wall. The improved mounting system will let us quickly install updated panels, assemble full test units in the right form factor, and measure cooling performance under near-real conditions.
Redesigning the light tunnel. We’re iterating from a box-shaped exhaust geometry to a cylinder, which is expected to improve how efficiently the radiation leaves the unit. Better outflow → less internal reflection → stronger net cooling.
The Temperate Team
(Less hot air, more cold air)