Articles tagged with "insulation"
Aerogels and the engineering limits of empty space
Aerogels are an advanced class of ultralight materials composed of up to 99.8% air, making them some of the lightest solids known. Silica-based aerogels are common, while graphene aerogels can be even lighter than air, with densities as low as 0.16 kg/m³. Despite their extreme lightness and porous, semi-transparent appearance—earning nicknames like “frozen smoke” or “solid clouds”—aerogels exhibit notable mechanical resilience and can absorb large amounts of substances, such as oil. First developed in 1931 by Samuel Kistler, aerogels have since been applied in diverse fields including space exploration, construction, energy systems, and industrial insulation, influencing modern engineering approaches to lightweight, high-performance materials. The production of aerogels involves replacing the liquid in a gel with gas while preserving the solid framework. Starting from a gel precursor, chemical reactions form a semi-solid gel with liquid-filled pores on the nanoscale
materialsaerogelsadvanced-materialslightweight-materialsinsulationnanomaterialsgraphene-aerogelsMOCHI Blocks 90% Of Heat Transfer In Windows - CleanTechnica
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new window coating called MOCHI (Mesoporous Optically Clear Heat Insulator) that significantly reduces heat transfer while maintaining transparency. This innovative material is a 5-millimeter-thick silicone gel embedded with millions of tiny air bubbles, allowing 99% of visible light to pass through but blocking 90% of heat transfer. MOCHI can be applied as thin sheets to existing windows, potentially reducing the energy demand for heating and cooling buildings, which currently accounts for about 40% of global energy use. The coating is durable, lasting up to 20 years, and aims to improve indoor comfort without increasing energy consumption. MOCHI differs from traditional insulating materials like aerogels by its highly controlled microscopic air pockets. Unlike aerogels, which scatter light and appear cloudy due to randomly distributed air bubbles, MOCHI’s air pockets are uniformly structured, resulting in near-complete transparency. The researchers achieved this by using surfactant molecules to
energymaterialsinsulationheat-transferMOCHItransparent-materialsenergy-efficiencyHighly insulating polymer film that shields satellites to boost flexible electronics' performance
Researchers at Empa have enhanced the performance of aluminum-coated polymer films—currently used as thermal shields on satellites—by introducing an ultra-thin intermediate aluminum oxide layer between the polymer base and the aluminum coating. This innovation improves the film’s elasticity and resistance to mechanical stress and temperature fluctuations, which are critical for applications in space where materials face extreme temperature differences (up to 200°C) and mechanical challenges such as folding and exposure to debris. The base polymer, polyimide, is chosen for its excellent temperature and vacuum resistance and strong adhesion to aluminum, with the intermediate layer further optimizing these properties. The technology, originally developed for space applications like the European Mercury probe BepiColombo and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope sunshield, shows promise for enhancing flexible electronics and medical sensors by providing better insulation and durability. The Empa team used a precise coating process within a vacuum chamber to apply the nanometer-thin intermediate layer and tested the modified films under tensile stress and temperature shocks, confirming significant improvements
materialspolymer-filmsatellite-shieldingflexible-electronicsinsulationspace-technologytemperature-resistanceUS 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
energymaterialsinsulationwindow-technologyenergy-efficiencysilicone-gelheat-trappingGerman students grow igloos from mushrooms for sustainable shelter
A team of architecture students at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS) in Germany has developed MyGlu, a sustainable, mushroom-based igloo designed for hot, dry climates. The dome-shaped prototype is constructed entirely from mycelium—the root-like structure of fungi—grown on wood waste. This lightweight, modular, and fully biodegradable structure offers natural insulation, water resistance, and sound-dampening properties, making it suitable for climate-affected regions, humanitarian crises, or areas with material shortages. The design draws inspiration from traditional Arctic igloos but is specifically tailored to provide cooling and shelter in arid environments. The project, led by Florian Mähl, PhD, aims to establish mycelium-based construction as a key research focus at Frankfurt UAS, with plans to improve production processes and expand applied studies. MyGlu demonstrated promising thermal and acoustic performance during testing, showing potential as a low-cost, climate-neutral housing solution. Recognized with the university’s Sustain Award in
materialssustainable-materialsmyceliumgreen-buildinginsulationbiodegradable-materialssustainable-architectureFungi-based insulation boards tested in Germany absorb CO2, block mold
Researchers at Hof University of Applied Sciences in Germany have developed innovative insulation boards made from fungal mycelium, offering a sustainable and compostable alternative to conventional synthetic materials. The project, called Mycobuild, aims to scale production from lab to industrial levels by 2026. These fungi-based boards are grown on substrates made from locally sourced plant residues like dry straw, where fungal networks bind the material into solid panels. Unlike traditional insulation, these boards absorb CO2, resist mold formation, and require less energy to produce, making them environmentally friendly and carbon-storing. One of the main challenges addressed by the team involves controlling fungal growth to prevent contamination and mold, achieved through sterile conditions and careful substrate nutrient balance. To enhance durability and moisture resistance—key factors for commercial viability—the boards are coated with a mineral top layer developed in collaboration with a building materials firm. This coating not only protects against moisture and mold but also increases the material’s strength. The researchers are working toward fully waterproof insulation panels.
materialsinsulationfungi-based-materialssustainable-buildingcarbon-capturebio-based-insulationgreen-construction$39,000 House Has Some Solar Power - CleanTechnica
A Colorado couple built a modest yet aesthetically pleasing small house for $39,000, demonstrating that affordable housing can be both functional and attractive. The 32-foot square home features a Southwestern design with rounded corners to reduce wind noise, and is constructed primarily from stucco blocks reinforced with rebar and concrete. The interior benefits from ample natural light and includes a pizza oven-style wood-burning structure that retains heat efficiently due to its 12,000-pound mass, providing warmth for days. The couple completed about 90% of the construction over 8–9 months, with some assistance from friends, and emphasized that the sun provides all their energy, with sunlight heating the living room floor during the day and radiating warmth at night. The house sits on several dozen rural acres, offering privacy, though the land and well costs exceeded the house price. The couple advises purchasing building materials in advance to avoid unexpected price increases. The home incorporates global design elements, such as a Japanese wood treatment technique for durability,
energysolar-powersustainable-housinginsulationrenewable-energyenergy-efficiencyclean-energyAre Those Viral ‘Cooling Blankets’ for Real?
The article examines the popular concept of "cooling blankets" circulating on social media, clarifying that most marketed products do not truly cool the body. While these blankets may be more breathable and less heat-retentive than traditional blankets, they do not actively lower body temperature; in fact, simply having no blanket is generally cooler. The article explains the physics behind temperature and heat transfer, emphasizing that heat flows from warmer to cooler objects until equilibrium is reached, and that "coolness" cannot be transferred. Blankets function primarily as insulators, slowing heat exchange between the body and the environment. When a person is hot and uses a blanket, it usually traps heat and makes them feel warmer unless the surrounding air is hotter than body temperature. However, a blanket initially cooler than the body can absorb some thermal energy, providing a brief cooling effect until temperatures equalize. The article suggests that an effective cooling blanket would need a high mass and specific heat capacity to absorb more body heat and maintain a cooler temperature
energythermal-energyheat-transferspecific-heat-capacityinsulationcooling-technologymaterials-science