In an interdisciplinary study entitled “Spirited Skies Project” researchers of the School of Creative Arts and Humanities (Charles Darwin University, Australia), the AMC Metropolitan College (Greece) and the University of Science and Technology (China) have explored the idea of manufacturing aerogel-based dome structures for goedesic and lunar habitats.

After highlighting aerogel characteristics relevant for applications in architecture such as their insulating, optical and acoustic properties, the authors present examples of aerogel composites used in architecture like the glazed skylight of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum (Lansing, USA).

Figure 1: Exterior view of Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum (Lansing, USA).

Although the cost of aerogel materials currently limits their application to selected signature projects, the writers conclude that the rising demand for passive building design combined with dropping aerogel prices will soon facilitate the utilization of such composites in the building sector on a large scale.

Driven by these developments, the authors envisage the possibility of dome-like structures consisting of facades filled with translucent aerogels (see Figure 2 below). This design would allow structures that are naturally lit and highly insulated.

Figure 2: a) Exterior view of lunar glass domes “Spirited skies”. b) Lunar glass dome’s interior view.

More details: Michaloudis I, Skouloudi M, Bok C, Jingyan Q (2017) Spirited Skies Project: Silica Aerogel Domes for the Habitat of the Future. Adv Automob Eng 6: 166. doi: 10.4172/2167-7670.1000166 https://www.omicsonline.org/peer-reviewed/spirited-skies-project-silica-aerogel-domes-for-the-habitat-of-the-future-94152.html