The energy efficiency of a building relies on various factors such as paint color, orientation, construction materials, and most importantly, insulation. Often, windows serve as the weak point, causing a home to lose up to 30% of its thermal energy. Even with double glazing, energy still escapes through the glass. The trade-off comes down to choosing between insulation and transparency. However, researchers at the University of Boulder have developed a transparent wood aerogel that provides the same insulation efficiency as a wall.
Windows made from beer wort
The concept of transparent wooden windows dates back to 2018 when the University of Boulder team experimented with beer wort to create an insulating aerogel. The recent advancements have led to a more transparent aerogel made from cellulose, offering higher transparency than glass. This innovative material can be applied to existing windows to enhance their insulation, potentially matching the insulation level of a wall.
Moreover, this transparent wood aerogel could be a more sustainable alternative to glass, which has a significant environmental impact during production. The U.S. Department of Agriculture views transparent wood as a promising building material that could surpass glass in various aspects.
Transparent wood: a sustainable substitute for plastic?
The development of transparent wood aligns with the trend of finding sustainable alternatives to plastic. Research indicates that transparent wood has a lower environmental impact compared to petroleum-based materials. The production process involves extracting lignin from wood and incorporating transparent elements. Over time, advancements have improved the transparency, strength, and insulating properties of transparent wood.
The future of windows may include transparent wood, photovoltaic glass, pollution-trapping coatings, and smart capabilities. To stay updated on such technologies, subscribe to our newsletter!
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