Aerogel Insulated Pane

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Program:
SHIELD
Award:
$2,751,377
Location:
Northboro, Massachusetts
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
11/18/2016 - 02/17/2020

Technology Description:

Aspen Aerogels and its partners will develop a cost-effective, silica aerogel-insulated windowpane to retrofit single-pane windows. Silica aerogels are well-known, highly porous materials that are strongly insulating, resisting the flow of heat. The team will advance their silica aerogels to have a combination of high visible light transmittance, low haze, and low thermal conductivity. The team's design consists of an aerogel sheet sandwiched between two glass panes to make a double glazed pane. This silica aerogel-insulated pane will be manufactured using an innovative supercritical drying method to significantly reduce the aerogel drying time, thereby increasing productivity and reducing cost. Aspen Aerogels’ windowpane could be used to replace single panes in windows where thickness or weight preclude replacement with common double-pane units and at substantially lower cost.

Potential Impact:

If successful, technologies and techniques developed through Aspen Aerogels’ project 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. Wendell Rhine
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
wrhine@aerogel.com

Partners

National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

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Release Date:
10/07/2015