Jun 5 2006
Cabot Corporation (NYSE: CBT) announced today that its Cabot Aerogel business and Wasco Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer of commercial skylighting systems, have developed two new commercial skylight products, incorporating Nanogel(R) translucent aerogel, the world's lightest, highly insulating, light transmitting, solid material. The Wasco skylights and other Nanogel-filled daylighting systems will be on display at the AIA 2006 conference, June 8-10th in Los Angeles, at Cabot Booth # 3923.
The new Wasco skylight systems with Nanogel(R) aerogel provide outstanding lighting and thermal performance for both new construction and replacement applications. With increased awareness and demand for energy efficiency, these systems more than double the thermal performance of standard skylights, while minimizing glare and heat gain. Additionally, the new Wasco skylight systems with Nanogel resist condensation, prohibiting the growth of mold and mildew.
Wasco is offering its curb mount and deck mount Thermalized(R) Solar-Energy Skydome(R) systems incorporating Nanogel-filled polycarbonate panels. The U-value is 0.41 for the Curb Mount (CSNT) unit and 0.40 for the Deck Mount (CANT) unit. The light transmission is 63% and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is approximately 0.50 for both.*
Nanogel is Cabot's brand of aerogel material, known as the best insulating and lightest solid material in the world. Manufactured by Cabot through a patented process, Nanogel aerogels are translucent, light transmitting, nanoporous particles that resist condensation.
"Nanogel has special appeal to both architects and builders because of its unique quality of soft, warm light and superior insulation and sound absorption properties," said James Satterwhite, global business manager for Nanogel Construction segment. "Working with Wasco Products, we are now able to offer another exciting daylighting alternative."
"For Wasco, our innovations have always been about delivering higher performing skylights. By offering the Nanogel option, we have again raised the bar for the industry at large," said Jeff Frank, Wasco Product's Chief Operating Officer.
Since 2003, Cabot Nanogel aerogel has been installed in a variety of daylighting projects in over 35 states in the US and five countries in Europe.
For the Wasco skylight systems, Nanogel is used to fill the cells or flutes in polycarbonate sheets positioned under an acrylic dome. Wasco skylight systems, in combination with Nanogel aerogel, bring a wide range of benefits to commercial architectural applications, including:
* Improved thermal and acoustic insulation of the building structure
* Transmission of diffused light to building interiors, eliminating glare and shadows
* Resistance to condensation, moisture, and associated mold and mildew growth
* Increased comfort and productivity for occupants