Fostering Knowledge and Applications of New Aerogel Superinsulation in Architecture and Construction

Project Information

AeroArch

Grant agreement ID: 746992

DOI

10.3030/746992

Project closed

EC signature date 30 October 2017

Start date 1 June 2018

End date 31 May 2020

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 175 419,60

EU contribution

€ 175 419,60

Coordinated by

EIDGENOSSISCHE MATERIALPRUFUNGS- UND FORSCHUNGSANSTALT
Switzerland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AeroArch (Fostering Knowledge and Applications of New Aerogel Superinsulation in Architecture and Construction)

Reporting period: 2018-06-01 to 2020-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Old, poorly insulated buildings represent a tremendous potential for saving energy in Europe. Aerogel building materials are characterized by very low thermal conductivities and other welcomed physical properties in building applications both in retrofits and new constructions. While several products have been developed and become commercially available in the last decade, knowledge with building professionals - such as architects, building designers, engineers and owners on their successful practical application in different contexts is still sparse. This hinders the implementation of available solutions as well as the development of new ones based on aerogels, which have the potential to play a significant role in the reduction of energy consumption in buildings and thus in meeting EU climate and energy goals. Fellowship objectives: The fellowship research had ambition to create tool for bringing reliable unbiased data and information for users in order to facilitate the application of super ABPs in practice and to develop new aerogel-based solutions for architecture. Fulfilling the objectives is represented by research work carried out in the four workpackages.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In a first work package (WP1), aimed to document and analyse the usage of aerogel building materials in Switzerland by collecting data on realised retrofits. A webpage was built before research stay by research laboratory at Empa. The web page with selected examples was made accessible to the general public. In aim to collect data for the webpage on aerogel use in buildings an online survey was prepared for building owners and designers of refurbishments. Another tool which can motivate – an Aerogel Architecture Award, which will bring realized recent examples of aerogel use in buildings is was launched recently for architectural and construction studios. The award represents tool, how to motivate producers and decision makers (architects and civil engineers) to contribute to the collection of ABPs examples. It will generate presentable examples to existing webpage, accessible to everybody.
In the second and third work package of research have brought unique new combinations of aerogel composite materials for architecture and construction (WP2). Two loadbearing construction elements – bricks with advanced insulation properties were developed. Several designs were verified by simulation and optimized in the geometry design and material choice. Optimized designs were assembled as a prototype. Thermal simulations and measurements were performed to evaluate effectivity of the designs. Designed elements are in the registration of IP rights. Several material mixtures were developed and examined as potential filler for filling as a cavity wall insulation. (WP3)
Last work package (WP4) summarized building applications of ABPs, thermal insulation performance properties of ABPs, and application in terms of monument preservation requirements. The review article should serve as a guidelines for the use of aerogel building materials. Overview was published as Opens source journal article and leaflet accessible thorough the webpage of the award. For the first time building professionals have free access to a comprehensive and unbiased body of knowledge, detailing where and how aerogel building materials can be used in refurbishment of existing buildings and heritage listed buildings.
Crucial to the proposed work was multidisciplinary approach which joins the architectural expertise of the researcher with the knowledge and experience of the hosting laboratory in material development, which constitutes an ideal framework for truly innovative research. Results are open source.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Project will have socio-economic impact from two sides. One hand it is summarizing theoretical and practical knowledge on aerogel use in buildings for professionals and public. Aerogel materials and products for building construction were not known enough to potential users such as building designers, architects, civil engineers, investors, building owners, methodologist of heritage preservation, constructors, standardization organizations and product dealers. Project creates knowledge base for use of material in field of building construction.
On the other hand developed products will speed up early use of aerogels in new construction. Developed aerogel bricks expands palette of construction materials. Growing demands on energy efficiency of buildings, cost of land area or floor area brings new competitive insulation material.
Reduction of energy consumption in existing buildings is addressing EU climate and energy goals. Silica aerogels as a very effective thermal insulators may help to reduce energy demands as additional insulation of existing buildings. Cultural heritage as a subcategory of existing building stock has also strong socio-cultural importance. Early use of silica aerogels materials may help with preservation and maintenance of built cultural heritage and help to achieve sustainable usage of these buildings. Energy efficiency upgrades of existing buildings and cultural heritage buildings is helping to maintain sustainable environment from social, economic and ecological point of view.

Glass block filled with silica aerogel granulles

Aerogel Glass Brick 2.0, High quality photo will disclosed after ongoing patenting tasks

Call poster for open AAA award, tool for gathering information on aerogel applications in buildings

Samples with silica aerogel content

Concrete-aerogel brick block 2.0. High quality photo will disclosed after ongoing patenting tasks

Filling of traditional glass block with silica aerogel particles

First prototype of aerogel glass brick