Friday, August 22, 2008

The 2008 Olympics "Water Cube:" Looks Cool, Retains Heat, and Keeps Itself Clean

"How Bubble Wrap Could Power the Future"
LiveScience (August 22, 2008)

This isn't as crazy as it sounds:

"Swim suits that mimic shark skin are not the only high-tech pool materials to be found at the Beijing Olympics. The National Aquatics Center, or 'Water Cube,' is surrounded by a light-weight polymer foil that significantly reduces the energy that goes into construction.

"The thin transparent material, called ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene), is segmented into 3,000 air-filled cushions that let in light but hold in heat.

" 'It is like very sophisticated bubble wrap,' said Annette LeCuyer, an architecture professor at the University at Buffalo. ..."

Besides looking cool and saving energy, the high-tech wall material helps keep the building clean. Since the polymer wall is also very slick, rain will wash dirt and dust off the outside of the building.

I think one of the benefits of events like the Olympics is that they give global attention to new technologies like the walls of the "Water Cube."

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the information. I wondered about the bubbly walls. I figured that it had been done with plastic for effect. This is much cooler.

Brian H. Gill said...

legbamel,

My pleasure: And yes: "This is much cooler."

And, a promising new architectural technology.

Unique, innovative candles

Visit us online:
Spiral Light CandleFind a Retailer
Spiral Light Candle online store

Pinterest: From the Man Behind the Lemming

Top 10 Most-Viewed Posts

Today's News! Some of it, anyway

Actually, some of yesterday's news may be here. Or maybe last week's.
The software and science stuff might still be interesting, though. Or not.
The Lemming thinks it's interesting: Your experience may vary.
("Following" list moved here, after Blogger changed formats)

Who Follows the Lemming?

WebSTAT

Family Blogs - Blog Catalog Blog Directory