WASHINGTON, D.C. —  The U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) today announced funding for researchers to reduce energy costs for homes and businesses by drastically cutting down on building energy loss. Galvanizing Leaps in Advanced Super INsulating Glass (GLASING) projects will develop a new class of Insulated Glass Units (IGUs) to use in next-generation windows. GLASING IGUs would have upward of 3x the thermal performance of the 50-year-old technology widely used today.

“Part of ARPA-E’s mission is to enhance U.S. economic security through the development of new energy technologies,” said ARPA-E Director Evelyn N. Wang. “Better thermal performance in windows means lower utility costs and carbon dioxide emissions, and I am excited to see the technologies the GLASING projects develop to achieve their goals.” 

An IGU is composed of two or more glass panes that provide a measure of thermal insulation. Projects funded under GLASING will pursue a variety of techniques to increase thermal resistance of IGUs by leveraging advances in materials, manufacturing design, and reliability to achieve their goals. With an eye toward eventual commercialization of the technology, products will also need to be manufactured at a competitive cost and with acceptable optical performance. Potential areas of exploration include rapid manufacture of vacuum insulated glazings and reduced manufacture times for aerogels that maintain acceptable levels of clarity and haze. 

Visit the ARPA-E eXCHANGE website for more information about GLASING, including key guidelines, and read the GLASING program description here.

ARPA-E advances high-potential, high-impact energy technologies across a wide range of technical areas that are too early for private-sector investment. Learn more about these efforts and ARPA-E's commitment to ensuring the United States continues to lead the world in developing and deploying advanced energy technologies.

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