Scientists develop game-changing ‘glass brick’ that could revolutionize construction: ‘The highest insulating performance’::The team of scientists developed an aerogel glass brick, which is a translucent and thermally insulating material.

  • A_A@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    You are confusing the units : the value for aerogel is for a 1 m thick wall, while the value for your glass blocks is for 16 centimeter (one block thick). So an error of 16/100 ratio (or 100/16).

      • GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk
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        9 months ago

        WMK values are generally quoted as transmission for 1m thick for insulating materials. (watts lost per meter squared per delta kelvin).

        For example, PIR board is about 0.022. So for 100mm thick, it would be 0.22W lost per degree difference.
        The aerogel glass is quoted at 0.053
        Mineral wool is 0.038
        Brick is 0.600 on a good day.
        Pure aerogel is about 0.018.
        Glass is about 1.000 (varies).

        I can see this being used in situations where light is needed, but a window is not.
        I can definitely see the benefits of making utility walls out of it.
        It’s going to be expensive though, at least until aerogel prices come down.
        And it’s not going to beat using the same depth of PIR board, or mineral wool. (assuming the numbers are all correct)