Scientists in Switzerland have created a translucent glass brick capable of allowing light to penetrate it, yet the wall remains secure. The research team designed this new glass brick from compressed aerogel, to impart thermal insulation and transparency that lets in light and emits warmth, Study Finds reports.
Using Aerogel
Glazed construction in architecture is useful for naturally lighting buildings, the site says. This approach optimizes the use of environmentally friendly daylight, reducing reliance on artificial lighting.
Researchers at the Swiss research institute EMPA have created a new glass material that offers load-bearing properties and effective insulation, using aerogels, and have designed transparent glass blocks with these two properties, removing moisture from the gel while maintaining its original structure, to produce a material that offers superior insulation.
Researchers at the Swiss research institute EMPA have created a new glass material that offers load-bearing properties and effective insulation, using aerogels.
Ideal for building full walls
The combination of these glass elements was not previously available on the market, and to take full advantage of their features, they should ideally be used to build complete walls, providing good thermal insulation and the ability to withstand the pressure and weight of buildings.
The site explained that the combination of these glass elements has never been available on the market before, and to take full advantage of their features, they should be used in an ideal way to build complete walls. The team has developed a unique modular component based on float glass and silica aerogel granules, allowing the construction of attractive and structurally sound façade elements that allow a large amount of daylight to pass through.
The research team believes that it should be used in an optimal way to build complete walls, to provide good thermal insulation and the ability to withstand the pressure and weight of buildings.
The research team believes that the الطوب glass new thermal insulation can reduce heating costs, without the need for an additional building insulation layer, and provided examples of the bricks" use in places such as libraries, galleries, museums, offices and residential buildings. The team is looking for industrial partners to produce it.
