What are aerogels and what are aerogels used for
Aerogels, recognized as the lightest solid materials on earth, are revolutionizing multiple industries with their unique properties. Containing up to 98% air, their highly porous structure makes them excellent thermal insulators. Sometimes referred to as “frozen smoke,” these materials scatter light, giving them a blueish tint. Aerogels have a rich history dating back to 1931, and they are now being used in numerous applications, including energy-efficient building solutions.
What is Quartzene® aerogel?
Quartzene®, Svenska Aerogel’s next-generation aerogel, is a synthetic, amorphous silica material designed to enhance the performance of products in a sustainable way. Produced using a waterborne process with renewable energy, Quartzene® offering key properties such as low density, high porosity, and exceptional thermal insulation.
As a customizable material, Quartzene® is used as a functional additive in products like paints, coatings, and construction materials, improving energy efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Its lightweight structure is key to enhancing insulation and fire resistance across various applications.
Benefits of Quartzene® in Cool Roof technology
One of Quartzene®’s most promising applications is in cool roof coatings, where it plays a crucial role in reducing heat absorption by buildings. Cool roofs reflect sunlight and emit absorbed heat, making buildings more energy-efficient in warmer climates. The inclusion of Quartzene® significantly improves both the Solar Reflective Index (SRI) and thermal conductivity of these coatings.
In tests conducted by the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), cool roof coatings containing Quartzene® achieved an SRI of 123, outperforming traditional materials like titanium dioxide (TiO2). The higher the SRI, the better the material reflects solar radiation, resulting in less energy usage. Additionally, Quartzene®’s low thermal conductivity and chemical nature facilitates absorbed heat to be radiated away, making it both reflective and insulating—a feature unique among cool roof materials.
Energy savings with Quartzene®: Research findings
Research by the University of Gävle has demonstrated that applying Quartzene® in cool roof formulations can reduce energy consumption by 3% compared to TiO2 cool roofs and 8% compared to non-cool roofs. In hotter climates, buildings coated with Quartzene® can save up to 15% of energy costs compared to traditional bitumen coatings. These findings show that Quartzene® contributes significantly to lowering energy consumption, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting sustainability in building design.
Conclusion: The future of sustainable building materials
Quartzene® is transforming cool roof technology and contributing to a more energy-efficient future. By enhancing the solar reflectance and insulation properties of building materials, Quartzene® supports sustainability goals while offering a cutting-edge solution for reducing energy consumption. Learn more about how Quartzene® can improve your building’s energy efficiency by contacting us today.
Join the webinar!
On October 3rd, the Science History Institute is hosting a webinar titled “How Coating Technologies Can Affect the Built Environment.” During the event, Alexander Grahn, Application Specialist at Svenska Aerogel, will provide insights into aerogels in general and highlight the role of Quartzene® in cool roof technology. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how innovative coating solutions can enhance sustainability in the built environment.
Register for the Science History Institute.
Contact sales@aerogel.se for more information on how Quartzene® can enhance your building’s performance.