Capillary Glass

Capillary glass is a kind of glass that is constructed with small capillary tubules contained within the glass. It has excellent thermal insulation in comparison to more standard kinds of glass. The technique of capillary glass is based on the pelt of a polar bear, whose translucent hairs have been thought to help capture minimal sunlight in their cold environment. Although it has been demonstrated that polar bear hairs do not conduct light as previously thought, the theory helped inspire the use of translucent insulation materials (TIMs) as glazing in windows, air collectors, and other configurations: the capillary tubules act as small air cushions and prevent the convection of gases in the space between panes when mounted as multiple glass windows or façade surfaces. This prevents unwanted heat loss. Capillary inlays also reduce solar gain and therefore minimize unwanted interior heat. Its visual qualities are comparable to those of standard glass, making capillary glass suitable for similar applications.