A
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new material that can move heat out of buildings and into space.The researchers say the material can cool buildings even on hot days.The cooling material is a very thin sheet with many layers that could be placed on a roof like solar panels(板)．However, instead of turning sunlight into energy as solar panels do, the material turns heat into infrared(红外线的)radiation.
Shanhui Fan is an electrical engineering professor at Stanford University.He says that the panels have a layer of material that is like sand.The panels act like a mirror.They take heat out of buildings and reflect the light from the sun.And he says both the heat and sunlight are sent 100 kilometers into outer space.It's a structure that cools itself without electricity input, even under the sun.So, what it does is basically radiate heat to outer space and also reflect the sunlight so it doesn't get heated up by the sun.Mr.Fan says it is like having a window into space.The heat is sent directly into space without increasing the air temperature.
He says buildings in developing countries that do not have electricity or air conditioning could use the panels.“In areas where electricity is out of reach for many people, there is a potential benefit for storing medicine or even food.In many of these situations, being able to reduce the temperature is important.And this would provide a way to do it.”
The researchers say the main problem is creating actual cooling systems using the hightech panels.They say it may be possible to develop a cooling spray(喷涂)that could be used on present solid structures.They believe the cooling spray technology could be developed in the next three to five years.They say as much as 15 percent of the energy used in the United States is spent providing power to air conditioning systems.
【语篇解读】 本文介绍一种被用来使建筑物降温的新材料。这种新panel既环保又节能，它仍在研究中。
1．What is the main idea of Paragraph 1?
A．Living on hot days is no longer a big problem now.
B．Researchers are developing new solar panels on roofs.
C．A new material is created to cool the buildings.
D．The new material is a very thin sheet with many layers.
C [段落大意题。根据第一段第一、二句“Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new material that can move heat out of buildings and into space.The researchers say the material can cool buildings even on hot days.”可知第一段介绍了一种被用来使建筑物降温的新材料。故选C。]
2．According to Paragraph 2, how does the panel work?
A．It takes in the heat and cools it down.
B．It uses a mirror to reflect the sunlight.
C．It has a window to let out the heat.
D．It sends heat away right into space.
D [细节理解题。根据第二段中“The heat is sent directly into space without increasing the air temperature”可知，the panel将热量送入太空。故选D。]
3．Which of the following can best describe the
advantage of the new panel?
A．Convenient but impractical.
B．Ecofriendly and energysaving.
C．Effective but expensive.
D．Creative and cheap.
B [推理判断题。根据第一段最后一句“However, instead of turning sunlight into energy as solar panels do, the material turns heat into infrared(红外线的)radiation.”和最后一段最后一句“They say as much as 15 percent of the energy used in the United States is spent providing power to air conditioning systems.”可知，这种新panel既环保又节能。故选B。]
4．What can you infer from the passage?
A．The device of the new panel is still under research.
B．Some people got benefits from producing the panels.
C．It is impossible to solve the problem of creating actual cooling system.
D．The new panels may save 15 percent of the energy.
A [推理判断题。根据最后一段中“They say it may be possible to develop a cooling spray(喷涂)that could be used on present solid structures.They believe the cooling spray technology could be developed in the next three to five years.”可知，这种新panel设备仍在研究中。故选A。]
