Search Results (3)

This study employs Design Builder software to evaluate advanced glazing technologies for enhancing the thermal performance of residential buildings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Recognizing the energy inefficiencies caused by adopting Western architectural styles unsuited to local climatic conditions, and given that buildings consume 44% of national energy, we conducted a systematic parametric analysis to isolate the effects of key glazing parameters. The study examines six polycarbonate (PC) configurations and three critical comparative cases: (1) a selective double-glazed unit representing a new baseline glazing; (2) a low-U configuration to isolate thermal insulation effects; and (3) a low-SHGC configuration to evaluate solar heat gain mitigation independently. These controlled comparisons address a critical research gap by decoupling the traditionally confounded impacts of U-value and SHGC in hot climates. The simulations reveal that the 36 mm aerogel glazing (U = 0.9 W/m²·K, SHGC = 0.3) reduces cooling demand by 48.6% annually compared to single-pane glazing while maintaining indoor temperatures at 30.09 °C versus 38.43 °C at baseline. Notably, the findings demonstrate that 87% of these savings derive from SHGC reduction, with only 3.02 percentage points attributable to U-value improvements. The selective DGU benchmark delivers 85% of aerogel’s benefits at 40% lower cost, establishing it as a practical solution for most applications. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for Saudi Vision 2030’s sustainability goals, emphasizing that while aerogel glazing excels in extreme solar exposures, strategic SHGC optimization in conventional glazing can achieve the most energy savings in hot climates. Full article

Most new housing designs in Saudi Arabia are created to meet the client’s needs with minimal regard for environmental or energy-related considerations, resulting in buildings’ poor thermal performance and a growing reliance on artificial means. Polycarbonate windows have recently acquired popularity. Yet, there is a rising interest in combining polycarbonate windows with nanomaterials to reduce energy consumption, especially during the summer months when air conditioning use is at its peak. To improve building insulation, this research concentrated on the use of polycarbonate windows with nanogel, which has a low U-value. This study utilized polycarbonate windows with nanogel (two layers of polycarbonate panes filled with nanogel) in Hail City, Saudi Arabia, using DesignBuilder simulation software, resulting in a 14.3% reduction in annual energy consumption. The low U-value of nanogel compared to argon or air may be the cause of these savings, which are roughly double those gained by using double-paned polycarbonate windows. The incorporated nanogel layer between two layers of argon and two layers of polycarbonate panes decreased annual energy consumption by 29% compared to utilizing only one polycarbonate layer. Moreover, compared to a single 3 mm polycarbonate pane, the nanogel layer placed between two layers of argon and two layers of single polycarbonate panes demonstrated the lowest level of CO₂ emissions, with an improvement of around 22.23%. This study reveals a method for insulating buildings that cuts energy use and CO₂ emissions. This study’s conclusion supports the notion that sustainable design is the future. Sustainable construction can dramatically reduce building cooling costs and thermal loads. Full article

The scratch resistance of coatings used on two highly visible automotive applications (automotive bodies and window glazings) were examined and reviewed. Types of damage (scratch vs. mar), the impact on customers, and the causes of scratch events were investigated. Different exterior clearcoat technologies, including UV curable and self-healing formulations were reviewed, including results from nano- and macro-scratch tests. Polycarbonate hardcoat glazings were tested vs. annealed glass samples using a Taber abraser, with the resulting damage analyzed using transmitted haze measurements and optical profilometry. A correlation between the damage seen in glass samples (many smooth, shallow mars) and the best hardcoat samples (fewer, deeper scratches) and the haze measurements was discussed. Nano-scratch results showed similar fracture forces, but measurably improved mar resistance for the hardcoats/glass system compared to exterior clearcoats. Full article