Silica aerogels - A multifunctional building material
Authors:
Publication Year:
2015
Abstract
Silica aerogels are a nanoporous material with extremely high porosity (up to ~99.8 %), low density (as low as ~0.005 g/cm3), and low thermal conductivity (~0.010–0.020 W/(mK)). Aerogels can also be made with a translucent or transparent state. These structural and functional features make aerogels a multifunctional material for many important applications. In this work, we discuss the perspective of aerogels as super insulation materials and window glazings in the building and construction sector. It shows that different research and development (R&D) strategies of aerogels shall be considered when aiming for different applications; reducing the manufacture cost, improving the service durability, and minimizing the environmental impacts of aerogels are important factors to be addressed. We show also the R&D potentials of developing aerogel-like materials with improved structural or functional performance for building related applications.
Silica aerogels – a multifunctional building materials
Authors:
Publication Year:
2014
Silver nanoparticles as low-emissivity coating materials for window glazing applications
Authors:
Publication Year:
2015
Abstract
The potential of silver (Ag) nanoparticles as low emissivity (low-e) coating materials for window glazing applications has been discussed. Ag nanoparticles were prepared via a wet chemical method and applied on the surface of flat glass through spin coating. A mild heat treatment at 200°C was employed to achieve the low-e effect, which results in a total surface emissivity of about 0.015, compared to about 0.837 of the plain glass substrate. By applying such low-e coatings, the heat loss through a single-glazed window pane could be reduced by about 45% (U-value from 5.75 to 3.18 W/(m2K)).
Simple modelling procedure for the indoor thermal environment of highly-insulated buildings heated by wood stoves
Authors:
Publication Year:
2016
Simulating switchable glazing with energy plus: an empirical validation and calibration of a thermotropic glazing model
Authors:
Publication Year:
2015
Simulation and evaluation of CO2 heat pump system with energy storage for ZEB
Authors:
Publication Year:
2014
Abstract
Reduced energy consumption is one of the most cost effective ways of reducing CO2 emissions for combustion of fossil fuels. Residential buildings must become more energy efficient according to the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD). The demands for domestic hot water have become more significant. Therefore the share of domestic hot water (DHW) in high insulated houses constitutes an increasing share of total heating demand.
For DHW and space heating purpose CO2 tripartite gas cooler heat pumps are among the most efficient systems. Due to heat rejection at different temperature levels a large enthalpy difference and low compressor power input is achieved. A dynamic model for a CO2 heat pump system combined with energy storage (by means of ice) for a zero emission building (ZEB) has been developed. The goal of the simulation is the optimization of the heat pump and of its operational modes.