Rubber Attachments for Zero Energy Windows

The Mackinac Technology Company has demonstrated that our window attachment technology can achieve leading energy efficiency compared to incumbent window attachment technology. The problem is that highly effective secondary window attachments are expensive. This Phase I project is to achieve lower costs for Mackinacĺs highly insulating window attachment by developing a first-of-its-kind defect-free, optical quality liquid silicone rubber windowpane. Liquid silicone rubber is inexpensive, but has never been produced as a large, optically clear film. This research effort is to demonstrate that we can produce large-area silicone rubber films and demonstrate that we can deposit low-emissivity coatings onto rubber panes. The optical, mechanical, and durability properties will be evaluated for use for window products. The Phase II effort leads into developing large-scale additive-manufacturing processes to produce window quality rubber panes. Phase III leads to commercial operations. The Mackinac window attachment technology will significantly reduce the total amount of energy needed to heat and cool buildings, by reducing heat flow through windows by 70-88%, and by shedding peak load demands to reduce usage and costs during peak hours.