Solar Insulation Ideas

inflatable Ethylene Tetra Fluoro Ethylene (ETFE) skin. A solar-powered automatic light sensor, that regulates sunlight and temperature for the structure, controls the skin. Essentially the skin is a dynamic form of insulation and super energy-efficient window in one. The ETFE skin allows light to filter through but shades the people inside from direct sunlight, reducing UV rays by 85%

http://www.moonworkshome.com/blog/inflatable-building-insulation-meets-evolution-in-barcelona/


The distinctive properties of the material should not only become a mere actuator replacement but be orchestrated for their aesthetic qualities. EAP is a highly attractive component for kinetic architectural applications due to its extreme flexibility, lightness, thin dimensions and smooth actuation.

EAP is a polymer actuator that converts electrical power into mechanical force. In principle it consists of a thin layer of very elastic acrylic tape sandwiched between two electrodes.  Once the voltage in the range of several kilovolts is applied between the electrodes, the polymer changes its shape in two ways. First, due to the attraction of the opposing charges, the film is squeezed in the thickness direction (up to 380%), secondly, the repelling forces between equal charges on both electrodes result in a linear expansion of the film. As a result, after actuation the film becomes thinner and its surface area increases. If the supportive frame is flexible, due to the initial pre-stretching of the acrylic film, the frame bends. After application of voltage, the material expands, and the component flattens out.

http://archidose.blogspot.com/2010/10/half-dose-81-shapeshift.html



ETFE operable windows by Herzog and de Meuron
http://www.stylepark.com/en/vector-foiltec/texlon-system-st-jakob-park

The triangular pillows on the southeast side inhale and exhale like lungs to provide sensor-controlled sun shading. The long cushions on the southwest fill with nitrogen to block heat and filter light; in 30 minutes, a beautiful, cascading nitrogen cloud responds to the rising temperature outside, replacing a conventional air conditioning system, which can account for 80 per cent of a building’s energy consumption.

http://www.azuremagazine.com/article/from-breathing-buildings-to-illuminated-highways/

READ ME ETFE BENEFITS:
http://www.architen.com/articles/etfe-the-new-fabric-roof/