Aerogel Blanket Composite with SAP Layer for Moisture Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite insulating materials with aerogel blankets face a decrease in insulation performance due to moisture penetration, which is not effectively addressed by surface modifications to make the aerogel hydrophobic.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a super absorbent polymer layer between the aerogel blankets, which contains super absorbent polymer particles that absorb moisture from the air and any penetrating moisture, thereby maintaining low thermal conductivity and maximizing insulation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aerogel blanket is used for insulation, then insulation performance is improved, but moisture penetration increases thermal conduction and decreases insulation performance
Solution Approach 1:
A super absorbent polymer layer is introduced as an intermediary between aerogel blankets. This layer absorbs moisture from the environment before it can reach the aerogel, and also absorbs moisture that penetrates the aerogel structure. The polymer layer acts as a mediator that protects the aerogel from moisture exposure, maintaining its insulation performance over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The super absorbent polymer layer performs preliminary moisture absorption before moisture reaches the aerogel blanket. By positioning the polymer layer on the outer surface or between aerogel layers, it captures moisture in advance, preventing it from compromising the aerogel's hydrophobic surface and internal structure.
2Reliability
If aerogel surface is modified to be hydrophobic, then short-term insulation performance is maintained, but long-term exposure to moisture still causes performance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation system combines aerogel material with super absorbent polymer material to create a composite structure. The aerogel provides base insulation with hydrophobic surface treatment, while the super absorbent polymer provides long-term moisture protection through its ability to absorb and retain large amounts of moisture, ensuring sustained insulation performance.
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 super absorbent polymer layer effectively minimizes the decrease in insulation performance by absorbing and swelling in response to moisture, creating a protective film that prevents further moisture penetration and maintains excellent insulation performance.
Implementation Method 1
the super absorbent polymer particles included in the super absorbent polymer layer located between the blankets have a property of absorbing moisture in the air
Implementation Method 2
since the super absorbent polymer particles have a property of swelling when absorbing moisture, the super absorbent polymer particles may function to protect the blanket from moisture by absorbing moisture and then swelling
Implementation Method 3
Aerogel is a highly porous material having a porosity of about 90 to 99.9% and a pore size in a range of 1 to 100 nm, and is used for a high-efficiency insulating material because it has a high porosity and specific surface area, and super-insulation performance that exhibits lower thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 4
moisture in the air is adsorbed to a surface of the blanket by a hydrophilic silanol group present on the surface and penetrates into the inside, such that thermal conduction of the blanket increases due to the moisture
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
AI summary
The present invention provides a composite insulating material comprising two or more blankets, wherein each blanket includes a substrate and aerogel formed inside and on a surface of the substrate; and a super absorbent polymer layer located between the two or more blankets, wherein the super absorbent polymer layer includes super absorbent polymer particles.