SBIR Phase II: Scaling of a Rapid Aerogel Insert Manufacturing System for High Performance Windows.

小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目的更广泛的商业影响是开发一种具有成本效益的、透明的、基于气凝胶的窗户插件，该插件可用于制造高性能的窗户，这种窗户将适合双玻璃足迹并实现三玻璃性能。该项目将为扩大创新气凝胶制造工艺所面临的技术挑战贡献知识。这些基于气凝胶的高性能窗户的使用将通过降低建筑供暖和制冷成本以及减少温室气体排放来改善美国公民的健康和福利。该项目还将通过继续和扩大与学术界的合作，帮助美国发展多样化的STEM劳动力队伍，从不同的背景招聘实习生和实习生。这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目将促进高性能窗户用大型透明气凝胶嵌件制造方面的知识。气凝胶插入物的使用将使窗户行业在目前的双窗格窗基础设施中实现三格窗性能，并满足2022年能源之星规格的更高性能要求。到目前为止，已经成功地在实验室规模制造了高度透明的嵌件，并将其集成到原型窗产品中。该第二阶段项目将通过以下方式扩大这些插件的生产：(1)完成试点气凝胶制造设备的安装和测试，(2)将气凝胶材料的生产扩大到试点插件和批量大小，以及(3)批量生产试点气凝胶插件，以供客户和行业合作伙伴测试。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of a cost-effective, transparent, aerogel-based window insert that can be used to make high-performance windows that will fit in a double-pane footprint and achieve triple-pane performance. This project will contribute knowledge to the technological challenges associated with scaling up an innovative aerogel manufacturing process. Use of these aerogel-based high-performance windows will improve the health and welfare of US citizens by reducing building heating and cooling costs as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This project will also contribute to the development of a diverse STEM workforce in the U.S. through continued and expanded collaborations with academia, to hire trainees and interns from diverse backgrounds.This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will advance knowledge in the manufacturing of large transparent aerogel inserts for high-performance windows. Use of the aerogel insert will allow the window industry to achieve triple-pane performance in the current double pane window infrastructure and meet the higher performance requirements of the 2022 ENERGY STAR specifications. To date, highly transparent inserts have been successfully manufactured at the laboratory scale and integrated into prototype window products. This Phase II project will scale up production of these inserts by: (1) completing installation and testing of a pilot aerogel manufacturing device, (2) scaling production of the aerogel material to pilot insert and batch sizes, and (3) producing pilot aerogel inserts in bulk for customer and industry partner testing.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.