Aerogel Blanket Composite with SAP Layer for Moisture-Stable Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerogel-based insulating materials suffer from a decrease in insulation performance due to moisture penetration, despite surface modifications to make them hydrophobic, as hydrophilic groups on the surface continue to absorb moisture over time, increasing thermal conductivity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a super absorbent polymer layer between blankets to absorb moisture both in the air and after penetration, utilizing super absorbent polymer particles that swell to form a protective film, maintaining low thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aerogel is used as insulating material, then insulation performance is improved due to high porosity and low thermal conductivity, but insulation performance decreases over time due to moisture absorption by hydrophilic silanol groups on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
A super absorbent polymer layer is introduced as an intermediary between the aerogel blanket and the moisture-containing environment. This layer absorbs moisture preferentially, preventing it from reaching the aerogel surface. The polymer layer acts as a buffer that protects the aerogel's hydrophilic surface from direct moisture contact while maintaining the overall insulating structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The super absorbent polymer layer performs preliminary moisture absorption before moisture can penetrate to the aerogel blanket. By positioning the polymer layer on the outer surface or as an intermediate layer, it preemptively captures moisture from the environment, preventing the moisture-induced thermal conductivity increase in the aerogel before it occurs.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If surface modification is applied to make aerogel hydrophobic, then short-term moisture resistance is improved, but long-term insulation performance still decreases when exposed to moisture for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite structure combining aerogel blanket with super absorbent polymer layer. This composite approach leverages the complementary strengths of both materials: the aerogel provides base insulation while the polymer layer provides enhanced moisture management capabilities, together achieving superior long-term insulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophilic nature of aerogel surface, which initially causes moisture absorption problems, is worked around by introducing a hydrophilic super absorbent polymer layer that has even higher moisture affinity. This converts the problematic hydrophilicity into a beneficial feature where both layers work together - the polymer layer absorbs excess moisture that would otherwise harm the aerogel, turning the moisture sensitivity into a controlled moisture management system.
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 composite insulating material effectively minimizes the decrease in insulation performance by pre- and post-penetration moisture absorption, maintaining excellent thermal insulation properties.
Implementation Method 1
the super absorbent polymer particles included in the super absorbent polymer layer located between the blankets absorb moisture in the air
Implementation Method 2
the super absorbent polymer particles have a property of swelling when absorbing moisture
Implementation Method 3
Aerogel is used for a high efficiency insulating material because it has a high porosity, a specific surface area, and super-insulation performance that exhibits lower thermal conductivity than a conventional organic insulating material of Styrofoam
Implementation Method 4
Aerogel is a highly porous material having a porosity of about 90 to 99.9% and a pore size from 1 to 100 nm
Implementation Method 5
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
AI summary
A composite insulating material includes two or more blankets, each having a substrate for a blanket and aerogel formed on the inside and a surface of the substrate for the blanket, and a super absorbent polymer layer including super absorbent polymer particles located between the blankets.