TY - JOUR ID - 87915 TI - Improve thermal efficiency of the exterior shell of a building using natural non-woven composite materials JO - Journal of Solar Energy Research JA - JSER LA - en SN - 2588-3097 AU - pakdel, mahbube AU - alemi, babak AD - Department of Architectural Technology, Faculty of Architecture and Art, Kashan University, Kashan, Iran. AD - Department of Architectural Technology, Faculty of Architecture and Art, Kashan University, Kashan, Iran Y1 - 2022 PY - 2022 VL - 7 IS - 2 SP - 1037 EP - 1046 KW - Bio mimicry KW - Silkworm cocoon KW - Bio composite with natural fibres KW - Bionic architectural DO - 10.22059/jser.2022.340399.1241 N2 - Silkworm cocoons are a natural biological and composite structure that has evolved over time and responds well to the environmental conditions for silkworms. Understanding the relationships of cocoon structure inspires the creation of materials such as low-weight, high-strength non-woven bio composites. In this study, the descriptive-analytical method and logical reasoning, using sericin cocoon and natural fibers, which for various reasons such as lightness, non-pollution, and low-cost, can be a suitable alternative to artificial fibers, offer materials as a non-woven bio composite. These materials are suitable in terms of stability and energy consumption, can be used as thermal insulation. This performance is simulated for the hot and dry climate of Kashan city in the outer shell of the building and using the HanyBee energy analysis plugin in the Grasshopper environment. The results show that the proposed non-woven bio composite can help improve the thermal performance of the building by up to 12.7%. UR - https://jser.ut.ac.ir/article_87915.html L1 - https://jser.ut.ac.ir/article_87915_86bc08ded909d957dc27b6f8305302fe.pdf ER -