Nanobubble Thermal Barrier

Nanobubble Thermal Barrier


Program:
SHIELD
Award:
$3,000,000
Location:
San Diego, California
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
10/01/2016 - 02/01/2019

Technology Description:

NanoSD, with its partners will develop a transparent, nanostructured thermally insulating film that can be applied to existing single-pane windows to reduce heat loss. To produce the nanostructured film, the team will create hollow ceramic or polymer nanobubbles and consolidate them into a dense lattice structure using heat and compression. Because it is mostly air, the resulting nanobubble structure will exhibit excellent thermal barrier properties. The film can be transparent because the nanostructures are too small to be seen, but achieving this transparency needs processing innovations for assembling the film. The film should also be lightweight, flexible, fire/chemical resistant, soundproof, and condensation resistant. The nanobubble film will be integrated with a low emissivity layer to achieve the final insulating performance. The team will use cost-effective processing and assembly technologies to manufacture its window coating at a cost less than $5 per square foot.

Potential Impact:

If successful, NanoSD’s innovations will enable energy-efficient retrofits for the substantial remaining stock of single-pane windows in the United States. Retrofitting single-pane windows could produce significant economic and environmental benefits. These technologies could help reduce building energy consumption and save money for homeowners and businesses. Consumers adopting these retrofits could also benefit from improved window performance, including greater comfort and condensation resistance in cold weather and better soundproofing. Finally, by consuming less electricity, natural gas, and/or heating oil to warm a building, these technologies reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with using these energy sources.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Marina Sofos
Project Contact:
Dr. Sungho Jin
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
sjin@nanosdinc.com

Partners

University of California, San Diego

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Release Date:
10/07/2015