Aerogel Composite Structure to Maintain Insulation Under Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerogel structures collapse under pressure, leading to significant degradation of heat insulation properties when exposed to pressurization environments.
Innovation Solution
An aerogel composite comprising a substrate with discrete fibers and silica aerogel particles forming a network structure, maintaining a high volume ratio of pores and voids even under pressures up to 300 N/cm2, thereby preserving heat insulation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aerogel is used as heat insulation material, then heat insulation properties are improved, but structural stability under pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material combining aerogel particles with a three-dimensional fiber network structure. The aerogel particles (providing heat insulation) are embedded within the fiber network (providing structural support), forming a synergistic composite that simultaneously achieves both heat insulation properties and pressure resistance. This composite structure prevents aerogel collapse under pressure while maintaining thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a porous three-dimensional fiber network structure as the scaffold for embedding aerogel particles. This porous framework maintains its open cell structure under pressure, preventing collapse of the aerogel particles while providing mechanical support. The porous nature of the fiber network allows it to accommodate pressure loads without compromising the integrity of the aerogel heat insulation material.
2Reliability
If aerogel structure is used, then heat insulation performance is improved, but volume stability under pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of aerogel particles within a fiber network maintains volume stability under pressure. The fiber network acts as a rigid framework that prevents compression of the aerogel particles, thereby maintaining the overall volume and preventing the collapse that would occur in standalone aerogel structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heat insulation function (aerogel particles) from the structural support function (fiber network). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the aerogel particles maintain thermal insulation while the fiber network maintains volumetric stability under pressure, preventing coupled collapse of either component.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The aerogel composite maintains excellent heat insulation properties with a heat transmission coefficient increase of 2 times or less, ensuring consistent thermal performance under compressive forces.
Implementation Method 1
Aerogel is a super-porous, high specific surface area (≥500 m2/g) material having a porosity of approximately 90.0% to 99.9% and a pore size in the range of 1 nm to 100 nm
Implementation Method 2
the aerogel structure collapses, so that the heat insulation properties are significantly reduced
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an aerogel composite and an insulation member including the same, wherein the aerogel composite may maintain insulation constant without significant degradation even when exposed to a pressurization environment. The aerogel composite includes a substrate including a plurality of discrete fibers and voids between the fibers; and silica aerogel including a plurality of aerogel particles positioned on the fiber and in the voids between the fibers, and having a network structure including one or more pores, wherein when a pressure of 150 N/cm2 is applied in a thickness direction with respect to the aerogel composite, a volume ratio of aerogel including pores and voids between discrete fibers per unit volume of the aerogel composite is 0.85 times to 1 time compared to before the pressure was applied.