Flexcon Global, a coatings manufacturer based in Spencer, Massachusetts, has secured exclusive rights to a self-healing film technology, through a partnership with the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This innovative advance is intended to bolster the efficiency of buildings, particularly in retrofit scenarios, with the integration of this material into vacuum insulation panels (VIPs).
The company's repertoire spans a broad spectrum of markets from healthcare and sustainable packaging to transportation and consumer electronics. Now, through a collaborative research and development agreement initiated in 2021, Flexcon is gearing up to fine-tune the technology, poised to meet a clear gap in the construction materials sector. According to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Mike Merwin, Flexcon's director of technology solutions, expressed enthusiasm for this venture, stating, "Working with Tomonori Saito and his team has been an exciting opportunity to create a solution for an unmet need in the market."
The licensed technologies encompass not just the self-healing barrier film but also an advanced, roll-to-roll coating process for manufacturing. These films promise to dramatically extend the lifespan and reliability of VIPs, which are high-performance thermal insulation materials with exceptionally low thermal conductivity but prone to damage during transportation or installation.
In the event of damage to a panel, the self-healing property triggers—the curing agent intermingles with a curable resin due to a pressure difference, efficiently sealing cuts or punctures. This innovative auto-repair mechanism maintains the insulating properties of the VIPs over time. Tomonori Saito, a leading ORNL researcher, said, as per the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, "If a panel can self-heal right after it is damaged, it is possible to significantly reduce the loss in thermal conductivity," which speaks volumes about the potential impact of this technology on energy conservation goals.
Energy consumption linked to building envelope components, such as walls, windows, and roofs, hovers around 8.5% of the total in the United States. Implementing materials that resist heat flow more effectively is pivotal for decarbonization targets within the building sector, making Flexcon's adoption of ORNL's discoveries a significant stride in environmental stewardship.
The cooperative project engaged Flexcon team members including Yudi Sahoo, Amanda Young, Chris Kowalczyk, and Julie Beaudry. Their work, sponsored by DOE’s Building Technologies Office under a 2020 Technology Commercialization Fund award, may also have reverberations in sectors like storage, packaging, and pharmaceuticals, attesting to the versatility of the self-healing film. For those keen on exploring related technologies, ORNL has made licensing information available through their materials and energy utilities portfolio websites.
