SBIR Phase I: Low-cost Transparent Conductive Oxide Manufacturing for Smart Windows

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力将推动节能窗户的发展。电致变色窗可用于降低与气候控制和照明相关的能量成本，消除眩光，并改善商业建筑物中的视觉舒适度。电致变色窗制造商指出，整体能源负荷平均减少20%，峰值能源需求减少高达26%。由于制造成本高，电致变色窗市场的增长已经滞后。该项目将使广泛应用于能源转换和节能应用的薄膜的低成本制造成为可能，从而使电致变色节能窗户的广泛使用成为可能。该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将探索用于大面积设备的溶液处理透明导体的转化。透明导电氧化物（TCO）膜通常通过基于真空的技术或化学气相沉积来生产。这些涂层通常成本高、均匀性差和光学雾度。 该研究旨在消除传统TCO薄膜的常见缺点。该第一阶段研究项目的技术目标支持低成本、大面积、溶液沉积TCO的开发，以满足工业性能要求。 该研究项目将建立前体配方和薄膜加工之间的相关性，以控制薄膜的成分、形态和电性能，并可靠地满足工业规范。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will advance the development of energy-efficient windows. Electrochromic windows may be used to reduce energy costs related to climate control and lighting, eliminate glare, and improve visual comfort in commercial buildings. Electrochromic window manufacturers cite reduction in overall energy loads by an average of 20% and peak energy demand by up to 26%. Growth of the electrochromic window market has lagged because of high manufacturing costs. This project will enable low-cost manufacturing of films employed widely in energy conversion and conservation applications to enable widespread use of electrochromic energy-efficient windows.This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will explore the translation of solution-processed transparent conductors used in large area devices. Transparent conductive oxide (TCO) films are typically produced by vacuum-based techniques or chemical vapor deposition. These coatings often suffer from high expense, poor uniformity, and optical haze. The proposed research is aimed to eliminate the common drawbacks of conventional TCO films. The technical objectives of this Phase I research project support development of low-cost, large area, solution deposited TCOs meeting industrial performance requirements. This research project will establish correlations between precursor formulation and film processing to control film composition, morphology, and electrical properties and reliably meet industrial specifications.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.