Prof. Zhaofeng Chen

Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China
Prof. Dr. Zhaofeng Chen has been engaged in vacuum insulation panel and its application in the field of building energy efficiency. Vice President of China Insulation & Energy Efficiency Materials Association, Vice President of the Thermal Insulation Branch of the Chinese Silicate Society, Executive director of the Jiangsu Silicate Society, Chairman of the International Forum on Super Insulation Materials (IFSIM) 2018-2024, Chair of the 12th International Vacuum Insulation Symposium (IVIS) 2015, Chair of the IVIS Advisory Board 2015-2017, Member of the IVIS Advisory Board 2013~2023, Visiting Professor at The Ohio State University 2014-2015. 

Talk title: Vacuum insulation panel and its application in the field of building
Energy used for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in commercial and residential buildings contributes 30% of the total energy consumed in many countries. Energy consumption in buildings is becoming the main carbon reduction target for carbon peak and neutrality. In vacuum insulation panel, a core material is vacuum sealed in a membrane material to eliminate gas convection, thus having the lowest thermal conductivity (0.0015W/m×K) than other thermal insulations. Vacuum insulation panel found extensive use in the construction and industrial sectors. The core material serves three purposes: first, it can support the soft film to preserve the structure; second, it can block infrared radiation; and third, it stops gas from diffusing after a tiny quantity of gas incursion. The core materials are of three types: fiber, foam, and powder. The membrane serves to ensure the integrity of the vacuum insulation panel, prevents penetration of outside air and moisture, and provides a simple ultra-thin shape. The membrane material are of three types: plastic for low temperatures such as in building, metal for intermediate temperatures, and ceramic for high temperatures. Vacuum insulation panel offers thin but highly effective insulation solutions to reduce thermal losses for both new and renovated buildings. This study presents a comprehensive review of the vacuum insulation panel comprising glass fibre/fly ash core and laminated aluminium foil membrane materials, used as building envelopes in China. Characterization of the material composition, installation method procedures, and future outlook have been investigated and discussed. The outer barrier layer of fibreglass cloth protects vacuum insulation panel from localized alkaline cement and mechanical stress. Insulation assembly debonding from building walls was curbed by a combination of reinforced fibreglass mesh and a plastic spacer. Besides, elongated slots were made in small gaps between the vacuum insulation panel and a wall against unanticipated moisture conditions. Furthermore, the bolt could pass through the peephole in vacuum insulation panel to improve its adherance to the wall, and prevented it from loosening or falling off.