The Department of Defense (DoD) owns 300,000 buildings, representing 32% of its energy use. Heat lost through windows is one of the most significant causes of unintended energy loss on DoD installations. This project will develop a flexible vacuum insulated glazing (FlexVIG) that is highly insulating, low weight, thin and can be mass manufactured at a cost competitive with the currently dominant option. The seal design has much better edge thermal performance, resulting in higher overall window insulation as compared to the current VIG technology whose thermal performance approaches that of the wall around them by cutting the energy loss by 75%. 

The innovative production process for this technology ensures that the mass produced FlexVIG can be priced in between double pane and triple pane insulated glass units, however, thermal performance of the glass will be about five times higher than double pane and three times higher than triple pane. In comparison, state-of-the-art VIG are an order of magnitude more expensive than double pane glass. With high insulation and minimal cost premium, it is believed that this technology can be competitive within the current window market. In comparison to triple pane, FlexVIG is at least 50% lighter (one less pane), 80% thinner and 40% lower in cost.

Efficient and reliable buildings are critical to supporting military and DoD civilian staff. Validation of this technology will provide a cutting-edge solution to increase thermal comfort and simultaneously reduce building energy costs, with windows specifically being responsible for about 12% of total building energy use. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2027)