PRODUCTION OF EVACUATED MICROSPHERES FOR THERMAL INSULATION

Award Information

Agency: National Science Foundation

Branch: N/A

Contract: N/A

Agency Tracking Number: 27511

Amount: $64,999.00

Phase: Phase I

Program: SBIR

Solicitation Topic Code: N/A

Solicitation Number: N/A

Timeline

Solicitation Year: N/A

Award Year: 1994

Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A

Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A

Small Business Information

IA, Inc.

Po Box 1306

Ann Arbor, MI 48106

United States

DUNS: N/A

HUBZone Owned: No

Woman Owned: No

Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No

Principal Investigator

Name: Timothy M Henderson
Phone: (313) 995-9338

Business Contact

Phone: () -

Research Institution

N/A

Abstract

THE POTENTIAL TO ACHIEVE HIGH INSULATING VALUE BY THE USE OF EVACUATED GLASS MICROSPHERES HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR SOME TIME. THE PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH IS TO SOLVE THE PRINCIPAL OBSTACLE TO THEIR USE, WHICH HAS BEEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMERCIALLY VIABLE TECHNIQUE TO PRODUCE EVACUATED MICROSPHERES. IF HOLLOW GLASS MICROSPHERES CAN BE EVACUATED AND COATED COST-EFFECTIVELY, THEIR UTILITY AS INSULATION WILL EXTEND TO THE CONSUMER, ENGINEERING, AND INDUSTRIAL MARKETS LARGE COST SAVINGS AND MAJOR ENERGY SAVINGS TO THE NATION. FOR EXAMPLE, USING VACUUM MICROSPHERES HAVING HIGHLY REFLECTIVE METAL COATINGS, SYSTEMS CAN BE DESIGNED WITH R VALUES EXCEEDING 25 (PER INCH). CONFIGURED AS EVACUATED PACKED BEDS, R VALUES GREATER THAN 800 HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO DEMONSTRATE A UNIQUE MANUFACTURING CONCEPT WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE THE USE OF VACUUM EQUIPMENT OR EVACUATED CHAMBERS.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

You are here

PRODUCTION OF EVACUATED MICROSPHERES FOR THERMAL INSULATION