The AEROCOINs project will make a significant contribution to the future reduction of energy consumption by decreasing heating and cooling demands of existing-buildings. A clever combination of solgel science and nanotechnology can greatly advance design and development of novel super-insulating aerogels.

The AEROCOINs project proposes to create a new class of mechanically strong super-insulating aerogel composite/hybrid materials by overcoming the two major obstacles which have endured for so long and have prevented a more wide-spread use of silica-based aerogel insulation components in the building industry:
i) strengthening of silica aerogels by cross-linking with cellulosic polymers or the incorporation of cellulose-based nano-fibres and
ii) lowering the production cost of monolithic plates or boards of composite/hybrid aero-gel materials via ambient pressure drying and continuous production technology.

Acting on these two incentives, new super-insulating aero-gel-based monolithic materials with improved thermo-mechanical properties will be synthesized at the laboratory scale, developed further to the pilot scale under the shape of super-insulating panels, integrated in well-suited envelope components which will then be used for energy and ageing evaluation purposes via the integration of the aero-gel-based components in a demonstration wall. In addition, a complete LCA study of the component will be realized and a fabrication concept for cost effective mass production (based on a continuous elaboration process) will be laid out for further pre-industrial development.