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Aerogels for Superinsulation: A Synoptic View

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Book cover Aerogels Handbook

Part of the book series: Advances in Sol-Gel Derived Materials and Technologies ((Adv.Sol-Gel Deriv. Materials Technol.))

Abstract

The present chapter is focused on describing the intimate link which exists between aerogels and thermal superinsulation. For long, this applied field has been considered as the most promising potential market for these nanostructured materials. Most likely this old vision will become reality in the near future.Following a short presentation of the global need for superinsulation together with a closer look at the specific situation in the building sector, we propose within this synopsis a brief analysis of (1) the world’s insulation markets, (2) superinsulating aerogel materials and their alternatives, (3) commercial aerogel insulation products available today, and (4) our estimation of their most likely applications worldwide in the future. We conclude this chapter with some first considerations on health, toxicity, and environmental aspects.Based on recent developments in the field, it can be stated that aerogels still offer the greatest potential for nonevacuated superinsulation systems and consequently must be considered as an amazing opportunity for sustainable development. This chapter of the handbook bridges the gap between those dealing with thermal insulation properties of aerogel materials in general (Chap. 21) and the various commercial products described in Part XV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (Empa), Überlandstrasse 129, CH-8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland

    Matthias M. Koebel

  2. MINES ParisTech, CEP, Centre Energétique et Procédés, BP 207, F-06904, Sophia Antipolis, France

    Arnaud Rigacci & Patrick Achard

Authors
  1. Matthias M. Koebel
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  2. Arnaud Rigacci
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  3. Patrick Achard
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Correspondence to Patrick Achard .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Résidence Vert-Pré, Ch. des Placettes 6, Bottens, CH-1041, Switzerland

    Michel A. Aegerter

  2. Technology, Department of Chemistry, Missouri University of Science &, Rolla, 65409, Missouri, USA

    Nicholas Leventis

  3. , Building Technologies Laboratory, Empa, Überlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf, CH-8600, Switzerland

    Matthias M. Koebel

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Koebel, M.M., Rigacci, A., Achard, P. (2011). Aerogels for Superinsulation: A Synoptic View. In: Aegerter, M., Leventis, N., Koebel, M. (eds) Aerogels Handbook. Advances in Sol-Gel Derived Materials and Technologies. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7589-8_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7589-8_26

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