In many buildings, windows are the biggest culprits when it comes to energy loss. Surprisingly, buildings use around 40% of the world’s total energy. A lot of that goes into keeping indoor spaces comfortable, but nearly half of that energy can escape through windows, even though they make up just 8% of a building’s surface. For modern homes with large glass areas, this number can be even higher.
Engineers have long been trying to create glass-like materials that insulate well. Options like vacuum-insulated glass exist, but they can be expensive, hard to produce, or may cloud over time. For an insulating material to work well, it needs to trap air in a way that doesn’t allow heat to pass through easily. The ideal insulator must have tiny pores—smaller than visible light.
Recently, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have made strides in this area. They’ve developed a new material called MOCHI, which stands for Mesoporous Optically Clear Heat Insulator. This innovative material functions like a highly controlled version of frozen air, able to trap heat while still being mostly transparent.
MOCHI is made up of tiny silicone nanotubes that create a network filled with air—over 90% of its volume. More importantly, this design stabilizes the air pockets. Because it only uses about 5% to 15% solid material, MOCHI remains transparent while restricting heat flow. Tests show that MOCHI allows more than 99% of visible light to pass through, far outperforming regular window glass, which transmits less than 92%.
According to Ivan Smalyukh, a physics professor at CU Boulder, this material represents a significant breakthrough in insulation technology. He emphasizes the importance of transparency for windows, saying it has been tough to find effective insulators that don’t cloud vision.
The scalability of MOCHI is also promising. Researchers have created sheets big enough for practical use without losing performance. When integrated into windows, MOCHI can achieve insulation levels that rival well-insulated walls. Even when applied to single-pane windows, the material significantly enhances thermal performance, making them nearly on par with double-pane windows.
Beyond insulation, MOCHI could also help generate energy for buildings by letting sunlight in while trapping heat. It allows visible light and near-infrared sunlight to pass through while keeping longer-wavelength heat trapped inside. Experiments indicate that absorbers covered in MOCHI can reach 300 degrees Celsius, and even work on cloudy days.
Durability is another feature. Tests show that MOCHI can last at least 20 years, comparable to standard insulated glass units. It withstands various conditions like dust and rain while maintaining its properties.
Experts note that if MOCHI becomes commercially viable, it could change how buildings consume and generate energy. Architects might be able to design structures with more glass without worrying about energy loss, helping to lower utility bills and reduce carbon footprints.
However, it’s still early days for MOCHI, and there’s ongoing research needed to refine the manufacturing process. For now, it’s a fascinating glimpse into what the future of windows could hold—turning them from energy leakers into energy helpers.
You can read more about these findings in the journal Science.
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