http://www.gizmag.com/polymer-aerogel-stronger-flexible-nasa/23955
Interesting aerogel development
(10 posts) (4 voices)-
Something must be really wrong here.
These new aerogels are actually pretty dense... polymer aerogels with densities as small as 0.14 g/cc and having 90% porosity ...
There is no way they can have the properties described below the photo
Flexible sheets of NASA's new polymer aerogel. A sheet this thick would provide thermal insulation equal to about an inch (25 mm) of foam insulation
Posted Friday 28 Sep 2012 @ 2:20:15 am from IP # -
alfresco24
MemberIt seems counter intuitive, but it's real and it works.
I've used the previous version in a few tests and was AMAZED at the performance of a 4mm thick piece that insulated a gas flame from my fingers over extended exposure.
The cost is very high compared to conventional material but if space is a problem or retro fitting in a fixed space is a requirement then this stuff is real solution.
It will never catch on for general residential applications at $80-$120 sq mt but in critical applications it is a major space saver and superior elegant solution.Posted Friday 28 Sep 2012 @ 3:12:32 am from IP # -
Bushwalker
MemberA quarter-inch (6 mm) sheet of this aerogel would provide as much insulation as three inches of fiberglass.
I could use some of that.
Posted Friday 28 Sep 2012 @ 5:06:46 am from IP # -
alfresco24
MemberThe commercial version is available ex stock right here in Adelaide, look it up.
Posted Friday 28 Sep 2012 @ 5:12:25 am from IP # -
I cannot see anything in the report below which would explain a reduction of the thermal conductivity by the factor of about 10 as indicated in the text below the picture.
http://144.206.159.178/FT/627/52271/917644.pdfAs long as we are not in the realms of quantum physics, I don't expect many surprises.
Posted Friday 28 Sep 2012 @ 5:40:11 am from IP # -
alfresco24
MemberS2S - the paper your refer to sets out to analyze the microstructure of porous materials, namely aerogel prior to 2001, and does not specifically report on the efficacy and design of current aerogel products or their technology.
Posted Friday 28 Sep 2012 @ 6:37:41 am from IP # -
In regard of pore size this new aerogel is very similar. The main difference is the use of a polymer instead of silica. The paper I cited gives a mathematical model to determine the thermal conductivity depending on various parameters like thermal conductivity of the material, pore volume and pore size. In this regard the equations are universally applicable and I cannot see anything that would cause a change of thermal conductivity by a factor of 10 or more. You can check for yourself by playing with pore size and its influence on the total thermal conductivity.
Insulating a finger from a gas flame is not only about thermal conductivity but also about heat capacity and possibly about decomposing materials to form a protective gas layer against the flame (similar to the protective heat shield of space capsules for re-entry into the atmosphere).
Posted Friday 28 Sep 2012 @ 9:57:38 am from IP # -
alfresco24
MemberObviously you need to change more than just the pore size in the 4 variable equation.
The finger in the flame example was just one very simple test, of many.
I've yet to come across a thin, flexible, compliant material that compares to this stuff, remembering this is about a material that does the job of something 10 times thicker.
If you doubt it so much why dont you obtain a sample and evaluate it empirically.Posted Friday 28 Sep 2012 @ 11:26:21 am from IP #
