Advanced Polymers for Reduced Energy Consumption in Architecture
Katherine V Heifferon1, Timothy E Long1
1Macromolecules Innovation Institute (MII), Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, 1075 Life Science Circle, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|November 23, 2018
Summary
Advanced polymer research in nanoporous insulation foams and phase-change materials can significantly reduce building energy consumption and emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation goals.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Sustainable Architecture
Background:
- Global climate change necessitates reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit temperature rise below 2°C.
- Improving building energy efficiency through advanced construction materials is crucial for emission control.
- Lowering thermal conductivity of insulation materials enhances home energy efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore advancements in polymer research for energy-saving construction materials.
- To investigate nanoporous insulation foams for reduced thermal conductivity.
- To examine passive phase-change materials for heat flux control in buildings.
Main Methods:
- Assessment of polymer properties for nanoporous insulation foam development.
- Research into unique polymeric systems for encapsulation and matrix creation.
- Development of robust polymer matrices to prevent leakage and enhance mechanical properties.
Main Results:
- Nanoporous insulation foams demonstrate a significant decrease in thermal conductivity.
- Novel polymeric systems offer effective encapsulation and cross-linked matrix formation.
- Improved mechanical robustness and leakage prevention in advanced polymer materials.
Conclusions:
- Polymer research in nanoporous insulation and phase-change materials offers key advancements for energy-efficient buildings.
- These materials contribute to reduced energy consumption and lower emissions in the construction sector.
- Further development in polymer science is vital for sustainable building solutions and climate change mitigation.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Polymer Classification: Architecture
3.8K
Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
3.8K
02:34Polymers
40.9K
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...
40.9K
02:34Polymers
23.3K
23.3K
00:51Energy Budgets
10.8K
Organisms must balance energy intake with the energy required for growth, maintenance and reproduction. These trade-offs result in a variety of survivorship and reproductive strategies, including semelparity and iteroparity. Semelparous species, like annual plants, have only one reproductive episode in their lifetimes and consequently have short lifespans. Iteroparous species, by contrast, have many reproductive events during their lifetimes but have relatively few offspring. These two...
10.8K
04:10What is Energy?
59.0K
The universe is composed of matter in different forms, and all forms of matter contain energy. The different forms of energy on Earth originate from the Sun — the ultimate energy source. Plants capture light energy from the Sun, and, via the process of photosynthesis, convert it into chemical energy. This stored energy from plants can be harnessed in many ways. For example, eating plant products as food provides energy for our body to function, and burning wood or coal (fossilized...
59.0K
01:21Free Energy
52.0K
Free energy—abbreviated as G for the scientist Gibbs who discovered it—is a measurement of useful energy that can be extracted from a reaction to do work. It is the energy in a chemical reaction that is available after entropy is accounted for. Reactions that take in energy are considered endergonic and reactions that release energy are exergonic. Plants carry out endergonic reactions by taking in sunlight and carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen. Animals, in turn, break...
52.0K