Aerogels for Superinsulation: A Synoptic View

Abstract : The present chapter is focused on describing the intimate link which exists between aerogels and thermal superinsulation. For long, this applied field has been considered as the most promising potential market for these nanostructured materials. Most likely this old vision will become reality in the near future.Following a short presentation of the global need for superinsulation together with a closer look at the specific situation in the building sector, we propose within this synopsis a brief analysis of (1) the world's insulation markets, (2) superinsulating aerogel materials and their alternatives, (3) commercial aerogel insulation products available today, and (4) our estimation of their most likely applications worldwide in the future. We conclude this chapter with some first considerations on health, toxicity, and environmental aspects.Based on recent developments in the field, it can be stated that aerogels still offer the greatest potential for nonevacuated superinsulation systems and consequently must be considered as an amazing opportunity for sustainable development. This chapter of the handbook bridges the gap between those dealing with thermal insulation properties of aerogel materials in general (Chap. 21) and the various commercial products described in Part XV.