Lead Performer: Amsen Technologies LLC – Tucson, AZ
DOE Total Funding: $200,000
Project Term: June 28, 2021 - March 27, 2022
Funding Type: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1
Project Objective
Materials with a high R-value per inch greatly facilitate retrofitting of existing buildings and enable higher performance new construction. Aerogels have an R-value per inch of 10 or higher, which places them among the best insulators for buildings. However, the production and application of aerogels in building construction is limited by their high materials costs and laborious and expensive manufacturing. As a result, costs for aerogel manufacturing do not decrease with production volume, limiting their widespread adoption. This project focuses on the development of production methods of aerogels that reduce the energy, time, and production cost scaling of drying.
Through this project, Amsen Technologies will develop a new aqueous-based APD process to dry low-cost aerogel insulation made from cellulose microfibrils (CMF), a cheap and naturally abundant biopolymer. Amsen will also reduce the use of alcohols in the manufacturing process and strengthen the aerogel network through organic and inorganic crosslinking. Phase I will include developing the unique APD process and evaluating the aerogel insulation in terms of morphology, microstructural features, thermal conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical durability. Prototype aerogel insulation will be produced and evaluated in terms of R-value and cost.
Project Impact
A key barrier to widespread adoption of aerogel building insulation is cost, which this project seeks to address. Improving the energy performance of the U.S. building envelopes is critical to reducing total building energy use. Improved building envelope performance also improves occupant comfort, health, and well-being. As the lightest and the most porous fabricated material known thus far, aerogel products have large market potential. To date, demand from other insulation-using industries such as oil and gas, aerospace, refrigeration, automotive, and performance coatings has already propelled the growth of the global aerogel insulation market, which is projected to reach $2 billion by 2023. Successful development of the aqueous-based APD process for the production of low-cost CMF aerogel insulation could add to the building insulation market and further increase all market adoption.
Contacts
DOE Technology Manager: Sven Mumme
Lead Performer: Hongxing Hu, Amsen Technologies LLC