Stephen Michael Laidler
Improving the performance of aerogel in thermal insulation.
Aerogel/embedded fibre composites for thermal insulation
Email: s.m.laidler@ncl.ac.uk
Project title
Synthesis and characterisation of silica aerogel/embedded fibre composites for the purposes of thermal insulation
Project description
We will synthesise aerogel composites. These composites have superior mechanical properties relative to that of conventional silica aerogels. This is due to fibrous materials processing within the silica matrix. I will analyse the influence of fibrous materials and certain components of the composites. This will determine their influence on certain key properties, such as mechanical strength and flame-resistance.
Mechanically strong and flame-retardant silica aerogel composites could render conventional thermal insulation obsolete. Such materials would help to mitigate energy consumption in buildings and process engineering equipment. This will assist with meeting targets about the proliferation of greenhouse gases. These targets were set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Qualifications
MEng Honours in Chemical Engineering, Newcastle University