Transparent Flexible Vacuum Insulation
One of the biggest challenges in reducing commercial and residential building energy consumption is developing better insulating materials, for windows in particular. Current solutions for poorly performing windows require the installation of new windows, and presently the best insulating windows require a vacuum to be maintained between two panels of glass. These windows are expensive, unreliable, and come in set sizes, meaning they cannot be easily installed in many existing buildings. Despite these shortcomings research firm Markets & Markets expects the global glass insulation market to reach $58.7 Billion by 2021, growing at a CAGR of 7.6% over the forecast period. However, in order to minimize energy loss from windows in all buildings new technology that is both cost effective and easy to install will be required.
Patent Abstract:
One of the biggest challenges in reducing commercial and residential building energy consumption is developing better insulating materials, for windows in particular. Current solutions for poorly performing windows require the installation of new windows, and presently the best insulating windows require a vacuum to be maintained between two panels of glass. These windows are expensive, unreliable, and come in set sizes, meaning they cannot be easily installed in many existing buildings....Benefits
Optically transparent window insulation
-Inexpensive and easy to deploy
-Customizable to different window dimensions
-Extremely low thermal conductivity value (low R value, high U value)
applications
Internal Laboratory Ref #:
NREL ROI 12-78Lab Representatives