Insulation Innovations and Future Technologies
Construction engineering disciplines play a critical role in the production of insulation materials, design of installed systems, and development of new products. This includes mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and safety engineering.
For example, Oak Ridge National Laboratory engineers have developed coated and evacuated nanoporous materials in foam thermosets to create closed-cell insulation foams that outperform traditional non-vacuum insulation materials.
Aerogels
Aerogels are among the lightest solid materials on Earth. They are created by combining a polymer with a solvent and then removing the liquid to leave behind the gel-like material. They have very low density and are extremely porous, resulting in a remarkably efficient insulation that traps air within its pores.
This makes them a viable replacement for existing insulation materials like vermiculite, rock wool, cellulose, fiberglass and refractory ceramics. They can be used in walls, roofs and attics. They also offer superior thermal conductivity and are more flexible than traditional insulation materials.
Research continues to optimize aerogels for insulation applications like windows and solar devices. For example, graduate student Elise Strobach has developed a silica aerogel that is clear enough to allow sunlight in while still providing thermal insulation.
Moreover, researchers are using biopolymer-based aerogels that are made from renewable natural resources and can be recycled. These are promising materials for biomedical and environmental applications. For instance, L-sugar-aspartic acid/nitrogen (SA/CN) aerogels were found to be suitable for dye wastewater treatment because of their improved adsorption properties.
Vacuum Insulated Panels
Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIP) are an insulated material which has been introduced to the market in recent years. They have a very low thermal conductivity rate and can reduce heating costs significantly. VIPs are more expensive than traditional insulation materials, but their payback period is considerably shorter.
They consist of a micro-porous low thermal conductivity core hermetically enclosed in a multilayer foil with an evacuated and sealed space. The envelope layers are made of metallized films and can be produced in a variety of plastics or metals. The foils are generally 100-200 nm thin and have extremely low gas, water and air permeation rates, while also providing B class fire resistance.
The specialist core material used in VIPs is often fumed silica, which achieves a lambda value of 0.006 W/mK. This is a significant improvement on the standard insulating materials of polyurethane and polystyrene foams, which have a much higher conductivity rate. This unique insulation material can offer energy savings and improved storage capacity for goods such as vaccines or bio medical samples. However, VIPs must be handled carefully to avoid puncturing the envelope layer, which can damage the vacuum within and lose its performance.
Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are tiny particles that range between 1 and 100 nanometers in size. These particles can be used to change the physical and chemical properties of a material. They can be made of a variety of different materials.
These particles can be incorporated into an insulating material to enhance its performance. For example, a window that is insulated with silica nanoparticles can reduce heat loss by almost 30%. This technology could also help reduce the cost of insulating buildings.
Other uses for these nanoparticles include helping to clean up oil spills. Iron nanoparticles can be magnetically separated from the oil and can then be removed with water-resistant nanofabric “towels.”
Another use for these nanoparticles is to deliver medication to the eye. Saline suspensions of these particles have been injected into the conjunctive sac of rabbit eyes and showed that the drug was able to reach the retina. It was also able to inhibit inflammatory responses in comparison to conventional eye-drop controls. The research team also found that the drugs remained stable in the eye for a longer period of time than standard eye-drops.
Smart-Sensors
Smart sensors convert real-world variables into digital data for transmission to a gateway, which interprets and processes it. They can also perform certain analysis and processing functions at or near the source, reducing the amount of data that must be transferred to a central analytics platform.
In addition to monitoring temperature, smart sensors can monitor electrical power consumption; vibration in industrial equipment; proximity and other location sensing, such as in retail environments; chemical presence and concentrations in factories; air quality, including oxygen levels and fluid/gas concentrations; and more. They’re often used in manufacturing or production settings to help ensure a safe and efficient workplace, whether by tracking the condition of machinery or ensuring that products meet quality or productivity goals.
Some insulation systems are paired with smart sensors, allowing for better energy management and personalized climate control. These systems are designed to capture savings by monitoring the internal, surface, and ambient temperatures of structures, as well as transmitting that data to a portal on the Internet. They also provide valuable insights into the state of the insulation system.
Virtual Reality
In order to achieve net-zero energy building standards, innovative insulation solutions need to be part of the design process. This includes minimizing thermal bridging, and using materials such as stone wool with low fire risks to enhance occupant safety.
Another exciting innovation in insulation is the use of recycled materials, such as cellulosic waste. Dutch startup Everuse uses this material to make upcycled insulation. This reduces both the volume of cellulosic waste reaching landfills and CO2 emissions.
While incorporating advanced insulation into new construction projects will help reduce the amount of energy used in buildings, it is also important to improve existing insulation. This will contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, especially the Responsible Production and Consumption goal.
Advanced insulation innovations such as aerogel-based insulation and vacuum insulation panels will help to improve energy efficiency in buildings, and make them more sustainable in the future. Similarly, the use of phase change materials will allow for better climate control and reduce HVAC usage. Combined with smart sensors, these technologies will enable designers to create greener, more efficient buildings.