The global drive towards decarbonization and net-zero emissions is intensifying, with stringent energy efficiency regulations impacting construction and automotive sectors worldwide. Consumers and businesses increasingly demand sustainable solutions that also enhance comfort and design. This creates a strong market pull for innovative materials that can passively manage thermal loads, reduce operational costs, and contribute to ESG goals, positioning transparent thermal films as a key enabler for next-generation sustainable products.
Achieves high transparency and easy film formation, overcoming opacity and formability issues of conventional thermal storage materials. This enables application in products requiring aesthetic design, such as architectural windows and displays.
Utilizes a comb-shaped polymer with an amorphous main chain and crystalline side chains, ensuring high compatibility with existing film manufacturing processes. This could minimize special equipment investment, enabling rapid mass production and market entry.
Enables efficient and stable thermal energy storage and release due to its unique structure, where the glass transition temperature is higher than the crystalline side chain's melting point. This technology excels in applications requiring precise temperature management.
This patent is a stable right, having been granted after comparison with seven prior art documents. The patent's scope, comprising eight claims, was refined and validated through a single office action during accelerated examination, demonstrating its robustness and distinctiveness. This provides a solid foundation for licensees to confidently pursue business development.
This patent primarily covers the polymer composition and film structure for thermal storage. White space exists in advanced integration methods with active thermal systems, smart sensing layers for dynamic thermal control, or specialized surface coatings for enhanced durability and self-cleaning properties.
For an office building with a floor area of 5,000m², annual energy costs are estimated at ~$330K (AI est.). Integrating this thermal storage film into window materials could reduce heating and cooling loads by an average of 15% annually, yielding ~$50K/year (AI est.) in direct energy savings. Further savings from reduced HVAC initial investment and maintenance, plus ~$6.5K/year (AI est.) from improved daylighting (5% of ~$130K annual lighting costs), contribute to an estimated total economic impact of ~$100K/year (AI est.).
X: Aesthetic Design & Transparency
Y: Thermal Control Efficiency