News from Japan could represent a fundamental step towards a more sustainable energy transition. The protagonist? the nanoscopic silica airgel developed by the company Thermalytica. With a "key word" in mind: logistics. And one goal: green hydrogen. Let's see together what it is.
A material for the future
Green hydrogen, despite its potential to decarbonize critical sectors such as steel and plastic production, faces significant obstacles. The high cost and logistical challenges of storing it at cryogenic temperatures limit its large-scale adoption. However, the introduction of airgel TIISA (Thermal Insulation Inflatable-Super-Air) promises to break down these barriers, offering an innovative solution for thermal insulation.
This material, the result of cutting-edge research, is composed of ultra-small particles, a thousand times thinner than traditional powdered aerogels. Its ability to drastically reduce heat conduction caused by gas flow makes it ideal for applications in different fields: from hydrogen logistics to the space industry, from zero-energy buildings to electric vehicles, up to new fabrics, electronics and energy infrastructure.
Versatility and applications
TIISA stands out for its versatility, because it can be available in four different formats: sheets, dust, paint and particles. This variety makes the material incredibly adaptable to different needs, facilitating the storage and transport of liquid hydrogen at sub-zero temperatures, and helping to make hydrogen energy more accessible and affordable.
Another revolutionary field of application is the system EB-PVD (Electron Beam Physical Vapor Deposition), which allows you to apply a thermal barrier coating. This ceramic layer insulates metal surfaces, allowing systems to operate effectively at higher temperatures. Thermalytica's goal is to adopt this material into reusable rockets and spacecraft, facilitating their reentry through the extreme temperatures of Earth's atmosphere.
A step towards decarbonisation thanks to better logistics
The introduction of this airgel facilitates the management of hydrogen and paves the way for a wide range of innovations for the decarbonisation of heavy industry. From improving industrial oils to tracing hydrogen supply chains, the industry is exploring cutting-edge solutions to reduce its carbon footprint. And who knows, despite all the logistical difficulties associated with green hydrogen, we might actually succeed: through research, collaboration and development we could actually find ourselves one step closer to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
