Self-Healing Films for Vacuum Insulation Panels

Lead Performer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN; Partner: FLEXcon Industrial Park – Spencer, MA

Buildings

March 23, 2021
Diagram: Multi-layered film composition.
Multi-layered film composition.
Prototype production: first layer of coating on first substrate, interleafed layer, second coating on the exposed face of the separator layer, and final interleafed outer layer.
Prototype production: first layer of coating on first substrate, interleafed layer, second coating on the exposed face of the separator layer, and final interleafed outer layer. Images: Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Lead Performer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN
Partner: FLEXcon Industrial Park – Spencer, MA
DOE Total Funding: $200,000
Industry Cost Share: $80,000
ORNL Cost Share:  $120,000
Project Term: January 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022
Funding Type: Technology Commercialization Fund

Project Objective

Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) have a very high thermal resistance of about R40/inch. However, the barrier film that maintains the vacuum in the panel and its thermal performance can be easily damaged during transportation and installation, and throughout its service life. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is developing a self-healable barrier film for VIPs that will instantly repair damages caused by punctures. The self-healing barrier film will prevent loss of vacuum, thus maintaining the thermal performance of the VIPs. The multilayer film will be manufactured using roll-to-roll (R2R) processes. This project will fine-tune the slurry chemistry of the self-healing components and transition the R2R manufacturing trials from mid-scale lab equipment to large-scale industrial equipment, in collaboration with FLEXcon.

Project Impact

Self-healing film barriers will increase the robustness and longevity of VIPs, making this high-performance insulation material more feasible for buildings and, more specifically, the retrofit of existing building envelopes.

Contacts

DOE Technology Manager: Sven Mumme
Lead Performer: Tomonori Saito, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

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