Artificial vegetation with engineered reflectance spectra

Abstract

An artificial turf system may comprise a plurality of synthetic filaments and a substrate base layer coupled to the plurality of synthetic filaments. Each filament of the plurality of synthetic filaments may comprise a pigment having an elevated solar reflectance for wavelengths less than 2500 nm. This elevated solar reflectance may be configured to reflect near-infrared radiation, thereby reducing near-surface air temperatures and the artificial turf surface temperatures. Such engineered pigments may also be advantageously used in the leaves of artificial vegetation systems, such as, for example, artificial shrubs and trees.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An artificial turf system, comprising:
 a plurality of synthetic filaments, wherein each synthetic filament of the plurality of synthetic filaments comprises a pigment having an elevated solar reflectance for wavelengths of less than 2500 nm, wherein the pigment is configured to reflect a majority of near-infrared radiation; and a substrate base layer coupled to the plurality of synthetic filaments.   
     
     
         2 . The artificial turf system of  claim 1 , wherein the pigment is configured with a high spectral thermal emittance at wavelengths greater than 4000 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The artificial turf system of  claim 1 , wherein each synthetic filament of the plurality of synthetic filaments comprises at least one of nylon, polypropylene, or polyethylene. 
     
     
         4 . The artificial turf system of  claim 1 , wherein each synthetic filament of the plurality of synthetic filaments comprises polyvinylidene fluoride. 
     
     
         5 . The artificial turf system of  claim 1 , wherein each synthetic filament of the plurality of synthetic filaments comprises titanium dioxide. 
     
     
         6 . The artificial turf system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of synthetic filaments extends substantially orthogonal from the substrate base layer. 
     
     
         7 . The artificial turf system of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate base layer comprises at least one cavity configured to allow fluid to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The artificial turf system of  claim 6 , wherein the substrate base layer further comprises an acrylic-based polymer configured to absorb water. 
     
     
         9 . An artificial vegetation system, comprising:
 a plurality of synthetic leaves, wherein each leaf of the plurality of synthetic leaves comprises a pigment having high solar reflectance for wavelengths less than 2500 nm, wherein the pigment is configured to reflect a majority of near-infrared radiation; and   a base, wherein the plurality of synthetic leaves is coupled to the base.   
     
     
         10 . The artificial vegetation system of  claim 9 , wherein the pigment is configured with a thermal emittance at a wavelength greater than 4000 nm. 
     
     
         11 . The artificial vegetation system of  claim 9 , wherein each leaf of the plurality of synthetic leaves comprises at least of one of nylon, polypropylene, or polyethylene. 
     
     
         12 . The artificial vegetation system of  claim 9 , wherein each leaf of the plurality of synthetic leaves comprises polyvinylidene fluoride. 
     
     
         13 . The artificial vegetation system of  claim 9 , wherein each leaf of the plurality of synthetic leaves comprises titanium dioxide. 
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing artificial turf, the method comprising:
 forming a plurality of synthetic filaments; and   coupling the plurality of synthetic filaments to a substrate base layer,
 wherein the forming further comprises:
 melting a plastic material; 
 selecting an engineered pigment, wherein the engineered pigment is configured with a high solar reflectance for wavelengths between 700 nm and 2500 nm; 
 
 mixing the engineered pigment with the melted plastic material; and 
 molding the melted plastic material using injection molding techniques. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the selecting further comprises selecting the engineered pigment configured with a thermal emittance having a wavelength greater than 4000 nm. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plastic material is at least one of nylon, polypropylene, or polyethylene. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the mixing further comprises mixing the engineered pigment with the melted plastic material and polyvinylidene fluoride. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the mixing further comprises mixing the engineered pigment with the melted plastic material and titanium dioxide.