SYDNEY, Nov. 3 -- Scientists in Australia have developed a nanoengineered, paint-like polymer coating that can passively cool buildings and capture water directly from the air - all without any energy input.

The invention could help address global water scarcity while reducing the need for energy-intensive cooling systems, according to a statement released Monday by the University of Sydney, which led the research in collaboration with start-up Dewpoint Innovations.

The research team developed a porous polymer coating capable of reflecting up to 97 percent of sunlight and radiating heat into the atmosphere. This allows surfaces coated with the material to remain up to six degrees Celsius cooler than the surrounding air, even under di...