Scientists apply nanofibers to produce light thermal insulators

Iranian researchers from Amirkabir University of Technology studied the application of nanofibers in the structure of thermal insulators to increase their performance and decrease the final price.
Results of the research increase the efficiency of the product but decrease its thickness and weight, and the product can be applied in construction industries.
Taking into consideration the problems and weak points in common thermal insulators, including low efficiency, high weight and thickness, big size and high production cost, the researchers tried to overcome some of the problems by using nanomaterials.
The main application of the product is in building construction industry in thermal insulators of the surfaces, specially in building valves and prevention of energy loss. The product can also be used in portable temperature controlling boxes in hospitals.
In similar researches, thermal insulators are usually made of polymeric composites containing nanoclay and aerogel nanocomposites. Appropriate thermal insulators are produced by using those materials. However, reduction in weight and thickness of the insulators have not been considered in those products and therefore, they cannot compete with the thermal insulators existing in the market.
Although the sample produced in this research has higher performance and lower price in comparison with common thermal insulators, the researchers are still focusing on the improvement of the performance and decreasing the price.
Results of the research have been published in Advances in Polymer Technology, vol. 33, issue S1, 2014, pp. 21440-1 to 21440-8.