Integrating Radiative Cooling and Solar Heating for On-Demand Thermal Management

Passive radiative cooling has been extensively explored as a sustainable alternative to traditional cooling systems. However, relying solely on this cooling mode restricts their application in temperature-fluctuating environments and may cause overcooling on cold days. To address this challenge, researchers are increasingly developing dual-mode devices that integrate radiative cooling with solar heating, utilizing the Sun’s continuous heat source for passive heating. In this perspective, we summarize the latest advancements in this field and highlight specific strategies for switchable dual-mode devices. These strategies generally fall into two categories: Janus design and all-in-one design. Finally, we discuss future challenges and opportunities in on-demand radiative cooling and solar heating, intending to advance this technology toward practical applications.