Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed an innovative window insulation that could greatly boost building energy efficiency worldwide, functioning like an advanced form of Bubble Wrap.
Transparent, Durable Insulation for Windows
Called Mesoporous Optically Clear Heat Insulator (MOCHI), the material can be manufactured as either thick panels or thin films that adhere to the interior of windows. MOCHI is currently experimental, but scientists say it is durable and nearly fully transparent.
Because of this high level of clarity, the material allows sunlight to pass through without noticeably affecting visibility, giving it a significant edge over many current insulation solutions.
“You can insulate walls, but windows still need to be transparent,” said Ivan Smalyukh, CU Boulder physics professor. “Developing materials that both insulate and stay transparent is extremely difficult.”
Smalyukh and his research team published their results in Science on December 11.
Why Windows Pose a Significant Energy Challenge
Buildings of every scale—from individual houses to high-rise offices—consume about 40% of the world’s total energy. Much of this energy is wasted as heat leaks out through windows in winter or seeps indoors during hot weather.
To address this ongoing heat exchange, the research team created a material called MOCHI.
MOCHI is made from a silicone gel with an unusual internal design. The gel contains a tightly packed network of microscopic pores, each far thinner than a human hair. These microscopic air pockets block heat so well that a 5 mm MOCHI layer can resist a direct flame without burning.
According to Smalyukh, a fellow at CU Boulder’s Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), the goal is to keep indoor spaces comfortable regardless of outdoor temperatures, while minimizing unnecessary energy use.
Air Bubbles and Tiny Heat Management
Smalyukh noted that MOCHI’s effectiveness comes from precisely designing and organizing its microscopic air pockets.
The material has some similarities to aerogels, which are commonly used for insulation (for example, NASA uses aerogels in Mars rovers to keep electronics warm). Like MOCHI, aerogels contain air-filled pores, but their random arrangement scatters light, making them appear cloudy, or “frozen smoke.”
Instead of taking that route, the researchers aimed to create a material that provides excellent insulation while remaining transparent.
To make MOCHI, the scientists introduce surfactant molecules into a liquid solution. These molecules naturally form thin, thread-like shapes, similar to how oil and vinegar separate. Silicone molecules in the solution then bond to the surfaces of these threads.
In the next stage, the researchers remove the detergent-based threads and replace them with air. The result is a silicone framework enclosing a highly intricate network of tiny, air-filled channels. Smalyukh compares the complex structure to a “plumber’s nightmare.”
In total, air makes up over 90% of MOCHI’s volume.
How MOCHI Blocks Heat Transfer
Heat moves through gases in a way that’s similar to a game of billiards: energized gas molecules collide with one another, transferring heat through these impacts.
In MOCHI, the pores are so tiny that gas molecules can’t collide freely. Instead, they repeatedly hit the walls of the pores, which greatly reduces heat transfer.
“The molecules don’t get to collide with each other and exchange energy,” Smalyukh explained. “They just keep bouncing off the pore walls.”
Even with its strong insulating properties, MOCHI reflects only about 0.2% of light, letting nearly all visible light pass through.
Potential Uses and Market Opportunities
The researchers think MOCHI could be applied in many technologies beyond just windows. One potential use is in systems that capture sunlight and turn it into cost-effective, sustainable energy.
“Even on partly cloudy days, you could still collect significant energy and use it to heat water or warm your building,” Smalyukh explained.
MOCHI isn’t likely to be available on the market in the near future, as its production currently involves a slow, labor-intensive lab process. However, Smalyukh is hopeful that the manufacturing process can be streamlined over time. Since the raw materials for MOCHI are fairly inexpensive, it has strong potential for future commercial use.
For now, the prospects for MOCHI remain bright—much like the clear view through a window insulated with this cutting-edge material.
Read the original article on: SciTechDaily
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