[Greenbuilding] Nansulate Insulation

[Reibstein, Rick (EEA)]

Here's some recent government "commentary" on nano, if of interest, articulating some principles for reducing risks over the life of the nanomaterial-containing product.  Regulations are more likely to be developed once general principles for what they ought to achieve have been widely accepted.  This guidance was well-received in many quarters, but progress is tenuous in this era where regulations are too often thought of as bad for the economy. See also EPA's TSCA reform, which has been focusing on nanomaterials, but which may not move as quickly as some might desire with this Congress.  The outlook of this document is that the absence of good management practices (which regulations would help ensure) is what really creates risks for the business itself, not just health and the environment.  http://www.mass.gov/Eoeea/docs/eea/ota/tech_reports/ota_nanotech_guidance.pdf

Rick Reibstein
MA Office of Technical Assistance
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
9th floor, 100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02114
617 626 1062



-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org [mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of JOHN SALMEN
Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2011 1:22 AM
To: 'Green Building'
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Nansulate Insulation

The thing with nano technology is that at the same point that we are
starting to talk about risk we are already getting it as products. This is a
huge huge emerging technology that is crossing and essentially
revolutionizing every product boundary from medicine to food to building
without significant regulatory research or commentary.


JOHN SALMEN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
4465 UPHILL RD,. DUNCAN, B.C.  CANADA, V9L 6M7
PH 250 748 7672 FAX 250 748 7612 CELL 250 246 8541
terrain at shaw.ca


-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of
elitalking
Sent: January 28, 2011 8:14 PM
To: Green Building
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Nansulate Insulation

Just a follow up on what I concluded from your input concerning Nansulate.
I had investigated aerogel when this product was brought to my attention by
a client.  It had a sheet product that claimed an R10/inch.  Some PH
projects that retrofitted old europeon stone buildings used it.  It's
premium value was where dimension was limited.  However, $/R was very high.

Genarro Brooks-Church used it however, was not pleased with the results.
John Salmen used a similar nano technology as an additive to paint to add to
durability and not a insulation.  He made a credible case for that
application.  However, the Nansulate gave bold claimes for performance as
insulation without giving an R value.  If it has an R value of 10/inch as
aerogel claimes and 3 coats over existing finishes that could retain their
visual identidy and therefore not require another finish material, likley
could achieve 1/8" over 3 or 4 coats.  This would only be an R1.2 or so.
That is not as good as insulated glass.

Steve included some good links about aerogel that are forwarded below.

I see there is a basis for the technology.  However, I am suspicious of the
performance they are claiming.  Also, there are some unknows regarding the
health affects that add to the risk.  I would love to hear of someone who
actually used it for insulation as the manufacturers are promoting and here
about the performance.  Although, I am not willing to go out on that limb.

Eli

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve" <steve at greengeek.ca>
To: "Green Building" <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2011 10:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Nansulate Insulation


> Hi Eli,
>
>> http://www.nansulate.com/nansulate_homeprotect_clearcoat.htm
>>
>> Is this stuff legitamate or snake oil?
>
> I've looked into several similar products over the last few years,
> invariably none of them were any more effective at insulating than a
> clay-based paint. I have no experience with this particular product,
> but based on similar ones I've seen, I'd lean towards snake oil. I
> hope I'm wrong about one of these products eventually though, as
> paint-on insulation would be very beneficial!
>
> The closest I've seen to a thin insulation that have proven results
> are aerogel-based products:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogel
> http://inhabitat.com/exciting-advances-in-insulation-with-aerogel/
> http://www.aerogel.com/
> http://thermablok.com/
>
> -Steve
> -- 
> http://www.greengeek.ca
>
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