Category: Transient Plane Source
Author(s): B. Notario, E. Solorzano, J. A. de Saja, J. Pinto, M. A. Rodriguez-Perez, M. Dumon, Miguel-Cngel RodrC-guez-PC)rez
Keywords: building materials, Knudsen effect, low thermal conductivity foams, nanocellular polymeric foams, Thermal Conductivity, thermal insulation
Abstract: As the world works to combat climate change, focus has turned to reducing energy use. More efficient thermal insulation could drastically reduce the energy use of residential homes. In this paper, the research team focused on reducing the thermal conductivity of polymeric foams. A number of foam samples with varying cell sizes between 90nm and 100um were created, to show that reducing pore size also reduces the thermal conductivity. The team was able to identify heat transfer mechanisms through the development of a new characterization process. They proved that the Knudsen effect takes place in nanocellular polymeric foams. The TPS method was used to measure the thermal conductivity of the foams in atmospheric and vacuum conditions.
Reference: Polymer, 56, (January 2015), pp 57-67
DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2014.10.006