Energy-Saving Insulation with Adjustable Thermal Properties: ID 2024-007
Insulation that dynamically adjusts thermal properties to optimize energy efficiency.
Problems Addressed
Buildings consume a significant portion of energy for heating and cooling, accounting for around 12% of all energy used in the United States. Traditional insulation methods have limitations, as they can't adapt to changing temperatures or utilize natural temperature variations effectively. This results in higher energy consumption and increased costs for maintaining comfortable indoor environments.
Technology Overview
The technology involves developing low-cost, switchable thermal metamaterials that can adjust their thermal conductivity based on environmental conditions. By using a method inspired by origami, sheets of flexible materials are selectively bonded to create structures that can change shape and connectivity to modulate heat transfer. This allows buildings to use ambient temperature variations more efficiently, reducing reliance on external power sources for heating and cooling. The manufacturing process is designed to be scalable and cost-effective, potentially leading to significant reductions in building energy consumption while utilizing renewable materials like cellulose-based sheets.
Stage of Development
The "Low Cost, High-Volume Method for Manufacturing Switchable Thermal Metamaterials for Reduced Building Energy Consumption" is in the early development stage. It requires significant further development and funding to move towards commercialization, as no prototypes have been developed yet.
Benefits
- Reduces heating and cooling energy usage by 7-40%.
- Utilizes low-cost, renewable materials.
- Adaptable to different climates for optimal efficiency.
Offers a continuous manufacturing process for large-scale production.
Applications
- Insulation systems for residential and commercial buildings.
- Energy-efficient retrofitting of existing structures.
- Dynamic thermal management in smart homes.
- Integration with phase change materials for enhanced energy storage.
Additional Information
Technology ID: 2024-007
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