Aerogel Finally Cheap Enough for Home Insulation

[Iason Ouabache]

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2010-02/aerogels-hit-consumer-insulation-market

Over 70 years ago, scientists invented aerogel, the least dense solid known to man, and an insulator four times more efficient than fiberglass or foam. Famously, according to Dr. Peter Tsou of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, "you could take a two- or three-bedroom house, insulate it with aerogel, and you could heat the house with a candle. But eventually the house would become too hot."

Unfortunately, aerogels remained so expensive and unwieldy that only NASA used them with any regularity. However, thanks to recent production advances, aerogel insulation is now available and affordable for consumer purchase.

Even after the price drop, aerogels remain more expensive than common insulating materials. But since aerogels are more plastic than fiberglass or foam, permeable to water vapor, and flameproof, the extra cost may well be worth the investment when insulating masonry, shingles, or curved surfaces. Plus, since they're so light and efficient, aerogels reduce other building costs as well.

Aerogels are made by constructing a conventional gel, and then removing the liquid though supercritical drying. The resultant material is 90 percent air, but retains the structure and rigidity of the non-liquid gel components.

[Doktor Howl]

I need this stuff.

In my pance.

[Jasper]

I love aerogel.  Glad to hear it's finally getting cheaper.

[Requia ☣]

I'd be happy for any insulation at all in my apartment.

[Shibboleet The Annihilator]

I wonder if you'd have to constantly cool your house due to heat from cooking, electronics and human bodies...


...I guess you could just open a window or something too...

[Requia ☣]

Or air conditioners, those tend to rely on good insulation to work anyway.

[Shibboleet The Annihilator]

That'd be that constant cooling I was talking about.

...then again, you could just throw some ice-cubes in the sink and it could theoretically cool the whole house... but then it would get too cold, so you'd have to light a candle...

[Jasper]

Cue "FUUU" cartoon.

[Iason Ouabache]

You'd probably still lose enough heat through windows and doors for the temperature to reach a good equilibrium. I'm sure that the "heating with just a candle" thing is an exaggeration that would only work under perfect conditions with no leaks.

[Requia ☣]

No, but home appliances and body heat put out far more heat than a candle anyway.

Hmm, just how much is the stuff anyway?

[Shibboleet The Annihilator]

Exaggeration in Popular Science?

No. That just doesn't happen.

[Richter]

I think it'd make air circulation more of a priority.  Not just stoves, but computers, refridgerators, and lots of other appliances would be pumping out accumulating heat.  Still, a lot of that would be lsot swapping out the air, so slow, gradual cooling by gradual airlfow, or large window pane surfaces might work too.

I need a LOT of this stuff, and an old barn with a sound roof.  I'll insulate and finish the top story of the barn with this stuff, and keep the bottom for project / parking space.  If family happens, finish the rest of the barn.   

[Iason Ouabache]

No, but home appliances and body heat put out far more heat than a candle anyway.

Hmm, just how much is the stuff anyway?

True. Refrigerators give off an incredible amount of heat. But then, imagine using this stuff as the insulation in a refrigerator. Fridge would need to use less energy so gives off less heat. Solved two problems now, eh?

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

No, but home appliances and body heat put out far more heat than a candle anyway.

Hmm, just how much is the stuff anyway?

True. Refrigerators give off an incredible amount of heat. But then, imagine using this stuff as the insulation in a refrigerator. Fridge would need to use less energy so gives off less heat. Solved two problems now, eh?

Oooh! Or in ovens!

Also... whoa. Super energy-efficient kilns!

[Jasper]

Earlier I was trying to find out more about it's heat tolerances, but found little.Anyone know how much heat this stuff can take?