Application of Energy-Saving Materials in Architectural Design

The conventional process of building construction is associated with issues such as the waste of construction materials and environmental pollution.Sustainable development highlights the importance of energy conservation and eco-friendly practices.It is essential to use energy-efficient and green materials in building designs to ensure the healthy growth of construction companies.This article discusses the advantages and principles of incorporating energy-saving materials in architectural design.It examines the strategies and critical control points for using energy-saving materials in architectural design,offering guidance for the sustainable development of the construction industry.

Green,Sustainable Architectural Bamboo with High Light Transmission and Excellent Electromagnetic Shielding as a Candidate for Energy-Saving Buildings

Currently,light-transmitting,energy-saving,and electromagnetic shielding materials are essential for reducing indoor energy consumption and improving the electromagnetic environment.Here,we developed a cellulose composite with excellent optical transmittance that retained the natural shape and fiber structure of bamboo.The modified whole bamboo possessed an impressive optical transmittance of approximately 60%at 6.23 mm,illuminance of 1000 luminance(lux),water absorption stability(mass change rate less than 4%),longitudinal tensile strength(46.40 MPa),and surface properties(80.2 HD).These were attributed to not only the retention of the natural circular hollow structure of the bamboo rod on the macro,but also the complete bamboo fiber skeleton template impregnated with UV resin on the micro.Moreover,a multilayered device consisting of translucent whole bamboo,transparent bamboo sheets,and electromagnetic shielding film exhibited remarkable heat insulation and heat preservation performance as well as an electromagnetic shielding performance of 46.3 dB.The impressive optical transmittance,mechanical properties,thermal performance,and electromagnetic shielding abilities combined with the renewable and sustainable nature,as well as the fast and efficient manufacturing process,make this bamboo composite material suitable for effective application in transparent,energy-saving,and electromagnetic shielding buildings.

Research and Application Progress in Energy-saving Monolithic Refractories

Foeusing on high energy consumption of refracto- ties, our research works about monolithic refractories were introduced, such as bauxite-based corundum, mi- cro-porous light-weight bauxite-based clinker, light- weight ahunina-rich spinel, magnesia micropowder, .fast-drying refractory castables of blast furnace, largeare long-life fast-：~intering fling refractories for converter, higlz-strength light-weight mullite castalbles for ladle permanent liner, high-strength and low-conductivity for- sterite- vermiculite insulating board, basic shotcreting castables .for ladle permanent liner, magnesia - ealcia gunning mix for RH refining furnace, and light-weight castables in petrochemical industry.

Optical switching properties of Pd-Ni thin-film top-capped switchable mirrors

Switchable mirrors based on magnesium-nickel alloy thin films capped with catalytic Pd-Ni alloy thin films were prepared by a DC magnetron sputtering method. Their composition, structure and surface morphology were studied by XPS, XRD and AFM. Herein, the optical switching properties and durability of the switchable mirrors were investigated by varying the Ni content in the Pd-Ni alloys. Comparing pure Pd catalyst with Pd-Ni top-capped switchable mirrors, the latter show better hydrogenation and dehydrogenation kinetics, and the speed of hydrogen desorption is obviously improved with increasing Ni content in the Pd-Ni alloy. The Pd-Ni capped switchable mirrors also have better optical switching durability. The catalytic Pd layer with the addition of Ni does not influence the transmittance （hydride state） and reflectance （metallic state） of the switchable mirrors. In addition, replacing Pd with Pd-Ni alloy decreases the cost of the switchable mirrors： employing nickel in the alloy Pd89.2Ni10.8 can save about 11% use of Pd. Therefore, the Pd-Ni alloy can provide a cheaper catalytic thin film, and it is expected to have applications in energy-saving windows, hydrogen sensors and hydrogen storage materials.