It's Not Just for Cooling - Panasonic's Innovative Mist Solutions

As a countermeasure against Japan's increasingly hot summers, Panasonic introduced to the market a cooling mist solution to create cool spaces outdoors. The "Silky Fine Mist" is a super fine dry mist that does not feel wet to the touch. But recently, the solution has begun to go beyond simply relieving heat stress and is being utilized for various applications such as to create unique spaces for art, entertainment, and exceptional guest rooms.

Silky Fine Mist that does not feel wet to the touch

In recent years, the sweltering summer heat has become a serious social issue in Japan. To address this, in April 2019 Panasonic introduced to the market the "Silky Fine Mist," a cooling mist solution that produces super fine dry mist to mitigate the heat through evaporative cooling. After numerous demonstration experiments, this solution has been adopted by train stations and public facilities nationwide as a "Green AC." Moreover, taking into consideration the needs of people working with these solutions on the ground, Panasonic has also begun to offer the "Green AC Flex" to offer greater flexibility in installation.

Mist produced by the "Green AC Flex."

In comparison to heat pumps that transfer heat, this solution emits less heat and can cool more efficiently, so it is better suited for outdoor use.

Both the Green AC and Green AC Flex feature the unique two-fluid mist nozzle developed by Panasonic. The nozzle mixes air and water and creates an ultra-fine mist of approximate 10 μm (micrometer) for the Green AC and approximate 6 μm (micrometer) for the Green AC Flex. Compared to conventional cooling mist systems, the mist is super fine, so it easily evaporates, and thus does not feel wet to the touch even when in direct contact.

Comparison of the size of the Silky Fine Mist produced by Green AC Flex and other substances (1 micrometer = 0.001 millimeter).

Green AC Flex, which can be easily installed as add-ons to existent structure, was adopted by sports competitions held in the summer of 2019 such as beach volleyball and marathon. It kept both spectators and athletes cool and comfortable.

The Green AC Flex installed near the beach volleyball venue in 2019.

Potential applications of the Green AC Flex.

Panasonic will continue to deliver its mist solutions as a heat countermeasure and create cool spots, but as introduced below, Panasonic will also offer its ultra-fine mist technologies to create interesting spaces for various applications such as entertainment and guest rooms, as a solution that supports fun, comfortable lifestyles.

Using mist to create a truly "immersive" sensation

The Silky Fine Mist is light and can drift away easily, so it works very well with projection mapping. In comparison to regular smoke which uses a special agent, the mist is harmless and has less impact on buildings and equipment, so there are high hopes that the solution can be used as an inventive performance tool.
Using mist, spectators can be visually and auditory shut off from the outside world. And the light dispersed by the mist and the coolness from the evaporating mist will create an immersive sensation like never before.

In 2018, at one of the largest design events in the world--"Milano Salone"--held in Milan, Italy, Panasonic combined the Silky Fine Mist, "nanoe X," ultra-high brightness laser projectors, and the high performance, high resolution fish-eye lens, to bring to life a truly immersive 4K projection mapping. This integrated installation was very well received and won the "Milano Design Award 2018 - Best Technology Award."

At the Milano Salone 2018, Panasonic set up an air dome measuring 20 meters in diameter resembling a drop of water. The exterior (left) and interior (right) of the integrated installation, "Air Inventions."

Moreover, in summer 2020, in collaboration with the Graduate School at the University of Tokyo, Panasonic organized an installation on clouds created using the mist produced by the Silky Fine Mist and conducted a demonstration experiment on heat countermeasures to explore new uses for mist.

The demonstration experiment conducted in cooperation with the Obuchi Laboratory, Advanced Design Studies, Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo.

Creating an unparalleled guest room with the (MU) ROOM, meditation space

As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc, people are feeling increasingly cooped up and stressed. As a result, more and more people around the world have become interested in Zen and meditation and are adopting mindfulness (focusing one's awareness on the present moment) into their daily routine. Panasonic also believes that in the future people will continue to want to travel in search for relaxation, so it has focused on providing a truly unique experience in guest rooms. Panasonic has removed objects you would normally find in a hotel guest room like the bed and desk, and created an optimal mindfulness (meditation) space, the (MU) ROOM, which essentially is an empty room that promotes the state of nothingness and stimulates the 5 senses by combining the Silky Fine Mist with lighting, spatial acoustics, and aroma.

The unparalleled lodging experience, (MU) ROOM, encourages guests to meditate with lighting, sounds, scent, and mist, and will make the meditative state visible by measuring heart rate and breathing rate. Panasonic will implement this new modular package that focuses on not providing things but experience in February 2021 in the hotel guest rooms of the "Hotel Anteroom Kyoto" to test its effects.

Meditating in the (MU) ROOM.

An ordinary single room and the (MU) ROOM layout comparison.

Demonstration experiment of the anti-bacterial "Safe Gate Solution"

Today, all around the world great importance is placed on public health. Panasonic is working on another application of the Silky Fine Mist, the Safe Gate Solution, which combines automatic temperature measurement and sterilization.

For the demonstration experiment conducted at the Odakyu Department Store in Shinjuku, Panasonic installed the Safe Gate Solution in 3 entrance areas to measure temperature without contact and to sterilize both hands and feet. The Silky Fine Mist technology has been integrated into the door mat to spray electrolyzed antibacterial water. Panasonic will apply the findings of this experiment to further study and develop this solution.

The Safe Gate Solution demonstration experiment at the Odakyu Department Store.

Whether it is in our daily lives, art and entertainment scene, or at travel destinations, Panasonic will continue to explore ways in which the Silky Fine Mist can be used to meet a diverse range of needs with the optimal "comfort."

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Related News

• [Press Release] Panasonic to Demonstrate '(MU) ROOM' Mindfulness-Based Accommodation Experience Solution at HOTEL ANTEROOM KYOTO (Dec 25, 2020)
• World's First Experiment Uses Two-Fluid Mist Nozzles to Create Installation Art and Provide Cool Spots at the Same Time (Aug 24, 2020)
• Panasonic Cools Down Tokyo As It Heats Up (Oct 02, 2019)
• As a Measure Against Heat, the "Green Aircon Flex" Will Be Installed at Venues Where 4 Sporting Competitions Will Be Organized This Summer (Aug 09, 2019)
• Panasonic's "Air Inventions" Wins Best Technology - Milano Design Award 2018 at Milano Salone (Apr 20, 2018)

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