US lab creates clear window gel that traps heat to cut energy loss

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new transparent insulating material called Mesoporous Optically Clear Heat Insulator (MOCHI) designed to improve window energy efficiency by blocking heat transfer without obstructing light. MOCHI is a silicone gel composed of over 90% air trapped within a network of tiny pores much thinner than a human hair. This structure effectively stops heat flow by preventing gas molecules from colliding inside the minuscule air pockets, while allowing 99.8% of visible light to pass through, maintaining clear views. The material is available in thin sheets or large slabs that can be applied to windows, offering a potential solution to reduce the significant energy consumption of buildings, which accounts for over 40% of power use in the US. MOCHI improves upon traditional aerogels, which are often cloudy and less suitable for living spaces, by using a carefully designed fabrication process involving surfactants and silicone to create a transparent, durable gel. Although currently produced in the lab