From spacecraft to building insulation and daylighting - Aerogel

I often surf the WEB searching for various new materials and technologies, which helps me synthesize these bits of information into new ideas.
This time, I was searching for insulating materials used in aerospace industry because spacecraft are exposed to the most extreme conditions we seldom experience here on earth being protected by our atmosphere.
These craft are routinely bombarded by extreme radiation, cold and heat and are build to special requirements to make them survive and operate reliably under such conditions. Lots to learn here...

It didn’t take long Googling to find something interesting.

A family of materials with incredible properties jumped out at me – Aerogels.
Aerogel is a man made material with lowest density of any known porous solid. It has an incredible surface area and is very light, made of 95-99% air or other gas in volume.
Depending on desired Aerogel properties, the gas is bound with other materials like Silica, metal oxides, polymers, Carbon, etc..

It is used for variety of different functions in aerospace and other commercial applications, but for purpose of this blog, we will take a look at its properties for use in building architecture.

Aerogels are great thermal insulators because they retard heat transfer via radiation, convection and conduction. They have sound dampening properties.
Another benefit is translucency, a diffused light transmission capability, which is another excellent feature in constructing healthy and efficient buildings.
Humans are drawn to natural light much needed for feeling of well being. Using daylighting also means not using artificial light / electricity, hence saving money and displacing GHGs.

Based on Aerogel principles, there are several companies pursuing development of great products used in green building architecture.
http://www.thermablok.com/index.html
http://kalwall.com/nanogel.htm

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of using Kalwall products:
• Diffuse Museum-quality Daylighting
• Eliminate harsh lighting contrasts
• Increase thermal insulation
• Improve sound insulation
• Minimize solar heat gain
• Reduce energy costs for air conditioning, heating and artificial lighting
• Resist condensation to prohibit growth of mould and mildew
• Gain LEED® points

Examine parameters of Kalwall+ Nanogel Thermal Insulation* and Light Transmission* of 2 ¾ inch (70 mm)-thick panels:
• R-value: 20 (U = 0.05 Btu/hr/ft2/°F, or 0.3 W/m2K)
• Light transmission: from 12% to 20%
• Solar Heat Gain Coefficient: from 0.12 to 0.22
• Acoustic Insulation: 35 STC

As you can see the performance parameters are outstanding given the thickness of the panel.
If you are interested in the products for a particular project, the manufacturer will work with you on the model and benefit / cost analysis.
http://www.daylightmodeling.com/daylight.htm

For more information on Aerogels visit the following resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogel
http://www.aerogel.org/

As interesting and amazing Aerogels are in their properties, they can be as beautiful integrated in the buildings.
By clever application of architecture, buildings are given visually stunning look, soaking interiors with healthy, diffused daylight.
Very nice indeed...