Experimental test of the thermal performance of a nanotechnology material for energy efficient building applications

This paper deals with the development of an experimental apparatus and an analytical model for the estimation of thermal performance, in particular an indirect evaluation of the equivalent thermal conductivity, of innovative low thickness thermal insulating materials. These materials, for example those based on nanoceramics, are not suitable to being tested with the methodologies used for traditional thermal insulation materials. The evaluation methodology was validated and tested for a low thickness coating realized with nanoparticles, for applications as thermal insulation in pipes carrying hot fluids.