Transcript Document
Technology
Scanning
Finding
New Ideas
from Other Industries
NAHB Research Center
Technology Scanning
Across Industries
Update
February, 2001
1
1
ATH
Technology- Road
mapping
The PATH Technology Road mapping effort is first identifying technologies that
can be used to reach affordability and value goals in the residential housing industry .
Then defining specific research & development activities required to bring those
technologies to application in residential building.
Technologies collected in the PATH Inventory
are predominantly from the US Building Industry
and current research centered around this industry.
Many are incremental existing technologies.
Technology from :
1) US Building Industry
One key area for finding new breakthroughs is to
search other industries, other countries for
ideas and technology that can be transferred
and re-applied in this industry.
In conjunction with Road mapping technologies
known within the industry, a 12 month ongoing
effort has been searching & identifying
technologies from other industries that
could have application to residential building.
This process called “Technology Scanning”
seeks out new and existing technologies, from
private industry, university research,
government labs, and international research
entities, developed for another industry
or use but having potential application to Housing.
Technology Scanning identifies potential
technology that could be applied in our industry
towards reaching goals, solving problems and
creating new opportunities in residential building.
With a process being established for ongoing
Technology Scanning, technology transfer
becomes possible;
• linking& streamlining research efforts
• linking public & private sector efforts
• allowing quicker adoption using familiar
technology from another industry.
PATH Inventory
•
•
•
2) International Building
•
Industry
•
•
•
•
3) Other Industries •
Technology Transfer:
The practice of using technology,
knowledge, or information
developed in one industry, organization,
or area and applying it in whole or part
to another
• Cost Effective
• Efficient
• Time Expeditious
Means to..
• Solving Industry Issues
• Creating New Opportunities
• Achieving PATH Goals
This report highlights the findings 2to date
in the “Technology Scanning Process
2
The process of….
Technology Scanning
Other Industries
• Agriculture
• Apparel /Textiles
• Automotive
• Aerospace
• Boat / Marine
• Civil Engineering
• Cable / Wire
• Chemical Engineering
• Communications
• Defense
• Education
• Electrical Engineering
• Energy / Utilities
• Environmental Protection
• Exhibit / Displays
• Furniture
• Industrial Safety
• Invention/ Innovation
• Materials/Composites
• Material Handling
• Mining
• Plastics / Rubber
• Safety/ Security
• Space Exploration (NASA)
• Surfaces
• Pipeline/ Petroleum
• Water / Irrigation
•Internet Search Engines
•Trade Shows
•Universities Tech. Research
•Government Agency Research
•Trade Publications
•Science & Industry Publications
Technology
Transfer
Types of Transfer :
1) Direct technology &
application transfer
2) Technology transferred
into new application
3) Technology refined,
advanced, or combined
with other technology,
then applied
Application of ideas & technology from other industries
starts by examining similarities in”purpose”. For example:
• the Textiles/garment Industry (clothing,/ outerwear)
is trying to keep the “occupant comfortable & protected” ,
similar to the shell of a house.
• the water/irrigation or petroleum industries are” efficiently moving liquids”
as is plumbing in house
• Exhibit/Display industry is trying to “assemble panels /modules simply,
quickly, w/minimal labor”,
• Material Handling/Logistics industry “processes’ & tools to move, track
quantities of diverse materials&, tasks related to using them”
Each has increasing level
of cost and time …
3
2
Cost
1
Time3
3
What if...
Why can’t…
On the Horizon...
•Emerging
•New to the industry
•Basic Research
•Applied research
•Ready to use
Extending
the Thinking
Where we could go...
We must first seek out, identify and understand what’s out there.
Then we must integrate our thinking to incorporate the possibilities with what’s
currently going on. On the following pages are findings to date of technology
and ideas that exist in another industry either in basic research form or existing
application form. These have been singled out in the technology scanning process as
ones that could hold potential use or application in some form to issues, opportunities
and achievement of goals in the Housing Industry.
The technologies are displayed under a potential building related category
that they hold benefit for. They are organized as follows to start extending the thinking
in the categories of:
International Building Industry Research /learning
Design & orientation ideas that reduce environmental impact
Building Exterior Envelope technologies
Basic Materials, Coatings, Durability technologies
Thermal & Moisture Protection
Indoor Environment Quality
Mechanical Systems & Power Creation/Conversion
Alternate Use/Waste Stream Reuse
Streamlined Process & Documentation
General or Misc Technologies
Included is brief description of the technology, its current use, or suggested application,
Who’s involved with it, along with contact information to learn more or to
begin preliminary investigation into its potential application or inclusion into
combined research activities
4
International Building
Industry Research
Technology Scanning Summary
Korea Institute of Construction Technology, Seoul, Korea (KICT) www.kict.re.kr/enghome/index.asp
Self- placing concrete (MelFlow)—reduces amount of water used, optimizes water/cement ratio,
increase’s strength & durability, 30-40% reduction in mixing time. Self -compatible and selfconsolidating, no tamping or vibrating, density without segregation.
Contact : Meca Engineering Ltd, 3 rd Kumho Bldg 123-25, Karrak-Dong Songpa-Ku, Seoul, Korea
Phone: +82-2-443-3497
Use of used concrete and industrial sludge in new concrete mixtures
Energy Conservation studies within structures and heat recovery systems
Mechanization and automation of construction works –remote controlled equipment reduces # of
skilled workers needed while improving worker safety, mechanization of work that today requires
skilled labor, application of electronic technology to machinery and tasks where manpower is
insufficient.
Advanced systems development for indoor environment
Disaster control technologies for building structures
Materials Durability research and development
Introduction & dissemination of advanced technologies into construction
Technical exchange with other research facilities around the world
CSIRO Thermal & Fluids Engineering, Melbourne, Australia (from Building Innovation & Technology issue #10)
Contacts: Dr Dilip Manuel, Business Development Manager, David Proctor, primary researcher
Telephone: 61-3-9252-6073, email: [email protected]
Pulse Combustion Technology—new generation pulse combustion technology reduces fuel
consumption by 50%, reduces greenhouse gases by 30% through cleaner emissions. New
breakthrough research and design of heat chamber produces higher heat transfer coefficient and
thermal efficiencies of 97%. Under research for commercial and manufacturing uses, but with
further research could be applied to residential heating systems.
CSIR Boutek –South Africa—aligns R&D with current and future needs in South Africa, bringing
latest technology to bear on applied solutions
Materials research focused on durability aspects in cement/concrete
Assessment of new innovative structural applications (modeling & simulation, physical testing)
Extensive study of waste materials turned into construction product
Ceramics use & application in bldg products
Contacts:
Theuns Knoetze, Programmer Phone +27 12 841 4985
Neo Moikangoa, Div.Director, Phone +27 12 841 3763
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
ParaBeam 3D Glass Fabrics- demonstrated cutting edge technology in making impregnated
lightweight sandwich panels and skins from glass fabrics. Panels or skins are ideal basis for easy
finishing with other laminates or foils. Foam cores can be integrated for thermal purposes. Properties
include lightweight, excellent strength and stiffness, full service adhesive properties, easy reparability,
corrosion and water-resistant. Applications in Europe include storage tank walls, high-speed water
craft skins, truck and cargo floors, train and bus exteriors, Building cladding, interior partitions.
Contact: Parabeam, the Netherlands, Tel: +31 (0) 492 570625 Fax: +31 (0) 492 570733
Canada & Japan collaborate to provide improved ventilation in houses, in joint venture
focused on development of international standards for non-forced air systems. Japan’s
Building Research Institute (BRI) has built a test house using alternative systems. Testing,
data collection, and experiments are done jointly, with exchange of ideas and information to
find better alternatives for indoor home comfort.
The collaborative effort is also investigating thermal comfort and noise reduction for
mechanical ventilation systems. The two agencies will bring findings to manufacturers,
designers, and regulatory agencies in an effort to create better ventilation and indoor air
quality strategies than are currently used.
Contact: National Research Council of Canada, Institute for Research in Construction, Dr. James Reardon, (613)
993-9700 email: [email protected]
5
5
Technology Scanning Summary
Design/Layout
Low Energy Architecture & Community Design
Reducing Urban Heat Islands through Design: Lawrence Berkley National Labs,
Environmental Energy Division is working on a project which uses light (cooler) surfaces and specific
trees strategically placed to reduce the effects of urban heat islands on cooling loads. Urban Heat
islands increase the cooling loads on surrounding areas and accelerate formation of urban smog. The
research looks at solar reflectivity of building materials and paving materials, uses computer modeling
of climate and air quality to see the effects of large-scale changes in solar reflectivity.
Several demonstration buildings and landscapes are located in San Jose, Sacramento, Gilroy, and
Downy, California. The next stage of the project will use the information learned to date to work with
roofing manufacturers to develop cooler materials, paving companies to look at next generation of
paving materials, and with city and municipalities to offer incentive to use the new materials, and
landscape strategies. They also have begun to draft roof reflectivity standards and codes. Project ref
LBNL-7
Contact – Hashem Akbari, LBL National Lab, Environmental Energy Div,
Phone: 510-486-4287 email: [email protected]
Urban Micro-Climate/Urban Geometry
Dept of Architecture and Urban Design, University of Constantine, Algeria (no contact listed)
Urban Micro-climate (the effect of cluster of homes on each individual home) is often neglected in
many urban designs. Example: In hot dry climates, the compact clusters of homes generates a large
thermal mass attenuating the ambient conditions around each home, making each homes air
conditioner work harder and longer.
Proper street orientation and layout of homes can have considerable effect on the shading, which
affects the urban micro-climate and environmental performance of the homes. Building heights,
proximity, and street width influence the heat generation characteristics of the street surfaces and
surrounding grounds in the local urban micro-climate.
- North/South Street orientation can result in street shading between 40% and 80% (dependent
on latitude).
- Street orientation of NW/SE can only manage shading between 30% and 50 % of street area
throughout the year.
- East/ West Street orientation can only achieve 30 % street shading
In addition to street orientation, urban layout affecting energy use:
- Inner tier suburb streets with very mature trees provide added shading and reduced energy
costs to each home in the area
- New developments often built in farm fields or large tracts of open land are some of the worst
“heat sinks” and continue to be for 10-20 years assuming trees were planted.
- Concrete streets reflect more heat back into the atmosphere; asphalt streets absorb and store
more heat. Yet because of first cost more asphalt streets and driveways are put in than
concrete.
- Wide streets poorly shaded generate added heat for the homes around them vs. narrower
streets, oriented and properly shaded. Parkways (separated by grass or landscaped islands) are
also more effective than wide streets at giving off less heat.
- Water near and adjacent to street surfaces also reduces the amount of heat given off to
surrounding homes.
- Position of the home in proximity to the street also can influence heat gain. Homes close to
the street in tightly packed neighborhoods leave little room for wind to dissipate heat. Leaving
heat to be absorbed by surrounding homes.
- Cul-de-sac’s also have large asphalt surface areas and can have can tight housing
configurations, which absorb heat from street surface
6
6
Technology Scanning Summary
Building Exterior Envelope
Building Exterior Envelope
Gas-filled Wall Panels (GFP’s): Lawrence Berkley National Lab, Building Technologies Program
has been working since 1995 on gas filled wall panels. Using the same principles that are now common
in gas-filling air space in windows, they have developed walls panels filled with an inert gas in a
controlled space. They are able to achieve an R-19 wall in the space normally consumed by a 2x4-wall
cavity, R-30 in the space of a 2x6-wall cavity. Little effort has been focused on residential wall panels.
Most research has been directed toward appliances, namely refrigerator panels filled with gas.
A cellular structure inside the panel, with low diffusion gas barrier films, in a hermetic seal,
retains the panel gas fill of argon & krypton. Cost per sqft. =$0.69 for 2x4 16”o.c.wall and $0.94 for
2x6, 16”o.c. wall. Weight is comparable or less than the weight of traditional wall construction.
Technical issues being addressed include thermal aging characteristics and search for low flame spread
materials. Contact – Brent Griffish, LBL National Lab, Building Technologies Program Phone : 510-486-6830 or 6844
International Space Station Work:
Environmentally Closed Life Support Systems (ECLSS) group is working on:
1) Vehicle/habitat systems that incorporate lightweight, re-configurable materials, spaces or
modules. Fasteners that are quick easy to use strong and permit ease of assembly.
2) New inflatable living quarters made from 24-layer composite of textiles. Stronger than metal,
outer layers protect inner bladders that hold air, indestructible. Outer shell provides insulating
properties from 250 deg.F to –200deg F. Using Nexel 3Mmaterial from the auto industry,
Kevlar from DuPont, Combitherm from the food packaging industry, and Nomax from the
protective clothing industry, NASA engineers have developed any innovative thick inflatable
shell able to withstand extreme temp’s, meteorite debris and other flying space debris. Down
scaled more earth-like applications of this material/textile composite could be used in walls,
roofs of homes.
Contact Laura Nelson @ NASA. Email: [email protected]
Composite Housing System Uses Waste Glass: Winner of the ACE awards given to the best
new applications of composites went to the Ambiente Housing System made completely of composite
materials. Billed as Hazard resistant housing, designed to resist hurricanes and withstand earthquake
forces, fire resistant, flame resistant. No timber or steel in the home, made from recycled glass core
material, no production waste in mfg process. Superior thermal and sound characteristics, low maint,
durable long lasting.
Raw waste glass is processed into honeycomb like material, then cast into composite of resin &
fiber. Saves non-degradable waste from going to landfill. Uses 13 tons of waste glass/house.
This fits many of PATH goals in affordable, durable (20 yr warranty), hazard mitigation,
environmentally responsible and friendly. They even have turn key mfg plants developed. Th is should
become part of the inventory for advanced wall panel systems and whole house. Contact: Ambersham
Technology Group, Ambiente Housing, Luquillo, Puerto Rico, 787-889-1362 www.ambientehomes.com email—
[email protected], Malcolm Parish, Director 787-889-1362
Composite Building – Funded by Office of Naval Research, Developed under US Navy’s
MfgTech Center for Excellence for Composites MFG, this building / shelter assembled in
the Dominican Republic in less than 24 hrs by 10 people without specialized tools or
heavy equipment. Very good thermally R42 roofs, R24 walls, fire resistant, corrosion
resistant, termite resistant. The DOD labs are going to work with CECMT to incorporate
composites into “contingency” structures and field-test them.
Contact: Loretta DeSio, 703-696-5032,
email: [email protected]
Composolite ™ FRP Panels- New lightweight, high strength, glass fiber reinforced polymer modular
construction system. Used extensively in Europe for over ten years, produced by Strongwell in the US
under licensing from Maunsell Structural Plastics,Ltd of the UK. Interlocking panels form the basis for
7
wall panel, bridge decking, roof decking. Contact: Strongwell’s website : www.strongwell.com
7
Basic Materials
Technology Scanning Summary
Basic Materials, Coatings, Durability/Longevity
DuPont Tefzel- used to make UniSolar Shingles for Dept Of Energy, allows shingle to wear
resistant, Durable and weatherable. Solar shingle is warranted for 10 years.
Contact: DuPont Technology transfer office @ 877-881-9787
DuPont ImRon Coating- durability, out-weathers other industrial paints, superior abrasion
resistance, cuts maint costs for heavy equipment manufacturers
Contact: DuPont Technology transfer office @ 877-881-9787
Composites & Coatings Consortium, Advanced Coating deposition Technology –
Contact 440-
686-2226 Great Lakes Industrial Technology Center (John Glenn Research Center ),
Affordable fiber reinforced ceramic composites- high wear, high heat resistance
Great Lakes Industrial Technology Center (John Glenn Research Center),
Cleveland OH, Phone: 216-433-4000
New “active” Materials—apply electric voltage to a material to give a desired mechanical response
(active fiber composites). Materials that do what we want when we need them to, materials with
multiple, changeable functions (funded by Army Research Office, development @ MIT)
Contact: Professor Yet-Ming Chiang, Material Sciences at MIT www.mit.edu
Coating from Shellfish protects materials- Environmentally –friendly, water-based coating
protects metals from corrosion & moisture. Harmless to environment –made from a component
extracted from crushed shellfish
Contact: Terry Tooker, Brookhaven National Lab 516-344-2078, Email: [email protected]
CSIR Boutek –South Africa—aligns R&D with current and future needs in South Africa, bringing
latest technology to bear on applied solutions
Materials research focused on durability aspects in cement/concrete
Assessment of new innovative structural applications (modeling & simulation, physical testing)
Extensive study of waste materials turned into construction product
Ceramics use & application in bldg products
Contacts:
Theuns Knoetze, Programmer Phone +27 12 841 4985
Neo Moikangoa, Div.Director, Phone +27 12 841 3763
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Owens Corning Composite Business Systems – displayed its latest venture with a tier one
automotive supplier- a complete composite truck bed assembly for Ford Pickups which incorporates a
composites bed and fenders and sidewalls ready to put on truck frame. Eliminates multiple metal and
steel components, increased durability, reduced weight and improved fuel efficiency. A good example
of systems integration. Owens Corning could explore this approach for components of houses
(walls,Floors, Roof Panels??)
Contact: Owens Corning World Headquarters 800—438-7465 or our Owens Corning Rep on the PATH Program
ParaBeam 3D Glass Fabrics- demonstrated cutting edge technology in making impregnated
lightweight sandwich panels and skins from glass fabrics. Panels or skins are ideal basis for easy
finishing with other laminates or foils. Foam cores can be integrated for thermal purposes. Properties
include lightweight, excellent strength and stiffness, full service adhesive properties, easy reparability,
corrosion and water-resistant. Applications in Europe include storage tank walls, high-speed water
craft skins, truck and cargo floors, train and bus exteriors, Building cladding, interior partitions.
Contact: Parabeam, the Netherlands, Tel: +31 (0) 492 570625 Fax: +31 (0) 492 570733
Self- placing concrete (MelFlow)—reduces amount of water used, optimizes water/cement ratio,
increase’s strength & durability, 30-40% reduction in mixing time. Self -compatible and selfconsolidating, no tamping or vibrating, density without segregation. Being developed for the Korean
and Asian building industries Contact : Meca Engineering Ltd, 3rd Kumho Bldg 123-25, Karrak-Dong SongpaKu, Seoul, Korea Phone: +82-2-443-3497
8
8
Technology Scanning Summary
Basic Materials
Plastic–Silica composite tougher than FRP: Ohio St. University scientists have patented a
method of mixing plastic with silica to create a heat resistant material 5 times more impact resistant
than fiber reinforced plastic (FRP). The patented manufacturing process forces melted plastic into
the pores of silica creating a stronger bond. It can be used as a lightweight substitute for iron, steel,
or aluminum. The process was first developed for making tough plastic dental fillings for the medical industry.
Contact John Lanutti @ Ohio State Univ. 614 292-3926.
Reinforced Cores @ Lower Costs: Webcore Technologies of Dayton, Ohio claims its
Tycor fiber reinforced foam cores are a low cost solution for composite sandwich. The process uses
glass or carbon fibers to build a 3D web & lattice structure within low-density foam. Both skin faces
are mechanically stitched together through the core. The fiber structure allows for quick resin flow
and uniform wet-out. Cores & panels are being developed for commercial industries (aviation,
marine, truck, civil engineering) Contact - Lynn Stanley @ Webcore Technologies, 937-879-3212, Dayton Ohio
Tougher fiber/cement composites- process to increase bond strength & interface toughness of
synthetic fibers used in reinforcing cement-based composites. Application allows tailoring interface
properties of a given system to produce cost effective, high performance fiber reinforced cement based
composites (patent issued) (file #1193) Torex-Optimized geometry’s of fiber reinforcement in cement,
ceramics & polymeric composites for lower cost, more durable reinforced material (patent issued)
(file #1063) University of Michigan TechTransfer , Ann Arbor, MI
Contact: Mitch Goodkin (734) 764-4290 Email: [email protected]
Material can Change functions- Graphite flakes and film—highly reflective, silvery/black,
electrically conductive flakes or film can be used wherever appearance and conductive coatings are
important (high luster paints, surface coatings, conductive flooring, shielding material) ( Tech #
129ML) Temple University Office of Technology Transfer Contact: Antonio Gonclaves director, (215) 2047662, Email: [email protected]
Lower cost structural substitute -Structural Fiber reinforced plastics—a new material technology
that could be a substitute for traditional structural materials like steel, concrete, masonry and wood.
Low weight, high strength, lower installed costs and lower maintenance cost. Being tested in Japan as
concrete mesh reinforcement, highway bridges in Calgary Canada, prototype composite bridge in
Russell, Kansas and pedestrian bridges in Western US National Parks. University of Missouri-Rolla
Civil Engineering Dept.- Rolla,MS Contact: Antonio Nanni, Phone: (573) 341-4000, Email: [email protected]
DurableTough, no-Slip coatingTruck -Bedliner material, spray applied or roller, weather-able,
durable slip resistant TUFF STUFF coating can be applied to almost any metal, wood or concrete
surface. Can create various textures and colors with additives. Proven for 15 years in the truck bed
liner market. Could have application in roofing for homes or other coatings needing weatherable
durable properties?. Rhino Linings, San Diego, CA contact www.rhinolinings.com or 619-450-0041
Composite panel structural Material- From the Civil Engineering Industry- Composite Fiber
Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Bridge deck – the deck sections are lightweight, highly durable, strong
rigid structure. Test bridge installations in Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania. Could be
applied in wall panels, roof decks, floor deck panel systems . Creative Pultrusions, Inc – 214 Industrial
Lane, PO Box 6, Alum Bank, PA 15521-0006 Phone: (814) 839-4186 www.creativepultrusions.com Contact:
Robert Sweet Jr.
Snap Joint technology for assembling composite structures—developed for Aerospace applications
and Utility transmission towers. Allows composites to be used in many applications with the benefits
of less weight, faster assembly with less labor and equipment. In use in California DOT projects,
Transmission towers near LA, proposed for assembly of all composite rocket tower at Vandenburg
Airforce Base. W. Brandt Goldsworthy & Associates – Torrance, CA Phone: (310) 375-4565Contact: Dr
Clem Hiel Email: [email protected]
9
9
Thermal & Moisture Protection
Technology Scanning Summary
Thermal & Moisture Protection:
NASA Thermal technologies
Protective Coatings for ceramic materials—Ames Research Center, lowers the surface
temperature of a thermal coating and reduces the heat transfer through the surface preventing the
degradation of the underlying substrate. Also very good impact resistance. Estimated cost -- $5 /sq. ft.
Technology developed for heat shields can be applied to many other materials besides ceramics to
convey heat away from a substrate. Lightweight, flexible, easily formulated, environmentally safe
(water based, no solvents) Potential applications include roofing for homes especially in high fire
danger areas, Fireproof insulation, Siding product or paint coating to reduce summer heat gain
Toughened uniPC fibrous insulation (TUFI)
Composite flexible blanket insulation (CFBI)
Contact: Phil Herlth, NASA Ames Research Center, Telephone: (650) 604-0625, Email: [email protected]
Aerogels, super cryogenic insulation, provides very high thermal properties in very thin applications,
aerosol based super thin insulation (NASA KSC-11903)
Southern Technology Applications Center (STAC), Univ. of Florida, Gainsville, FL
Contact: Lew Parish ,STAC Tech Counselor, 407-867-6373
High-Tech Low Temp Insulation- new lightweight metal alloy and ceramic insulation used for
protection of the craft during re-entry has been applied to mittens and glove, emergency rescue
blankets. A low density, honeycomb-like material was fabricated, capable of inhibiting convective and
radiative heat transfer. This cloth-like honeycomb material can be fabricated to match the temperature
range of the application it will face, so if you don’t need it to withstand 2,200 deg F, like NASA, it can
be fabricated to match more normal earthly, temperature extremes. Using the same honeycomb
concept, NASA Scientists and a private company, Thermolon, developed a light weight lower cost
version of plastic insulation for blankets and clothing that has better properties than wool or polyester
fleece (4 times warmer, dries faster, the honeycomb structure doesn’t trap moisture). The honeycomb
insulation structure has even be made from recycled plastic or milk containers to demonstrate its
environmental sense. Whirlpool Corp is looking to use this moisture-tolerant alternative to replace
CFC blown foam insulation that would make refrigerator’s even more energy efficient and
environmentally responsible.
Contact: National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC) in Wheeling, WV www.nttc.edu (304) 243-2455, Joeseph Allen
PH.D, president - email: [email protected]
3M—Thermal Barrier Nexel, used in auto racing to reduce heat transfer from engine, exhaust and
track surface. Nexel delivers a flexible insulating barrier against high temperature. It can be made into
tiles, textiles, or wraps.
3M- Thinsulate Acoustic & Thermal Insulation absorbs sound in high-noise areas as well as
providing thermal properties. Also New 3m Acoustic Composite Sheet material (ACM), ceramic
composite is lightweight, can be cut, fabricated, shaped or molded to most any configuration. Also fire
resistant. Comes in sheets 4’x4’ and thickness from 1” to 3”. Contact 3M – Automotive 651-736-2964
High-tech Fabrics for clothes—Developed by French Technologists fabrics that allow jackets to
become warmer as temperatures drop, T-shirts that use ceramic fibers to repel Ultra-violet rays, shirts
impregnated with a chemical that wards off insects . Could be applied to protecting occupants of homes.
Contact: French Technology Press Office Chicago, IL 1-312-222-1235
Super Therm Ceramic Paint Insulation—developed in conjunction with a division NASA
contains several ceramic components which when applied as a coating to walls, roofs etc., will provide
non toxic, non flammable, durable coating that keeps heat out and conserves energy or keep heat a
structure. The coating is water based, environmentally friendly applied by spray or roller. NASA
currently testing it on Shuttle launch pads and external tanks. Contact: Jerry Pope, Superior Products
International- 6459 Universal Ave., Kansas City, MO 64120
Phone: (816) 241-1976
10
10
Thermal & Moisture Protection
Technology Scanning Summary
Super Therm Ceramic Paint Insulation—developed in conjunction with a division NASA
contains several ceramic components which when applied as a coating to walls, roofs etc., will provide
non toxic, non flammable, durable coating that keeps heat out and conserves energy or keep heat a
structure. The coating is water based, environmentally friendly applied by spray or roller. NASA
currently testing it on Shuttle launch pads and external tanks. Contact: Jerry Pope, Superior Products
International- 6459 Universal Ave., Kansas City, MO 64120 Phone: (816) 241-1976
Performance Insulations from Textile Industry—Applied to footwear and outdoor wear,
Cambrella Extreme—exceptional warmth, keeps radiant heat in, superior moisture
management wicks away moisture harmlessly.
- Thermolite Extreme—unsurpassed warmth per unit of weight, extremely durable.
Intelligent Textiles—
- CoolMax and ThermaStat performance fibers—worn by Olympians, race car drivers to
control moisture and regulate temperature.
- NoMax Fibers—flame resistant fibers for race suits provide superior flame resistance, various
locations
-
Contact: DuPont Technology transfer office @ 877-881-9787
Breathable Coating Technology-Several companies including W.L.Gore exhibited the latest in
Breathable fibers &Textiles. These textiles permit moisture to pass through one way and keep heat in.
- Gore Tex - well known in the outwear business and could be applied to housing with to solve
the same problems it did in outerwear. Contact: W.L. Gore & Associates, Elkton, MD , 1-800-455-2791
- A European Company -with a textile called Breathe, that performs the same function keeping
heat in, keeping rain out, while allowing moisture to pass through from the inside.
Contact: UCB Secteur Chimique, Belgique,UK, +32 2 334 5111
-
A third Company StedFast makes StedAir, a moisture barrier used by firefighters to keep
comfortable letting moisture out keeping heat out, and keeping them dry inside.
Contact: SteFast Moisture Management Sytems 1-888-673-8441 www.stedfast.com
Lighter Color Roofing: Oakridge National Lab is working to develop lighter color durable roof
coatings and materials to decrease heat build-up and improve longevity of roofing. Currently
demonstrations are in place on campus buildings. Project reference ORNL-6.
Contact – Andre Desjarlais, Oakridge National Lab, Phone: 423-574-9354 email: [email protected]
11
11
Technology Scanning Summary
Indoor Environment Quality
Indoor Environment Quality:
Water purification BioClear- inexpensive chemical free process for purifying water
Contact: National Water Technologies, Atlanta, GA 401-303-0068
Intelligent Air Quality Monitoring: Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Lab, has a
project which integrates embedded sensors & micro-systems to detect, measure and analyze indoor air
quality. Then use the information to make necessary adjustments in the HVAC system to meet predetermined parameters for indoor air quality. Project reference INEEL –4
Contact – Karen Riddle, Idaho Ntl Eng/Env Lab, Phone : 208-526-1238 email: [email protected]
“Displacement ventilation” Indoor air quality—an approach to ventilation that improves indoor
air quality while saving energy. “Displacement ventilation” provides cleaner air with greater comfort
while reducing the amount of air needing heating or cooling. (sponsored by ASHRAE) MIT Univ
Contact: Professor Quingyen Chen or Leon Glickman www.mit.edu
Intelligent Rooms—respond to verbal commands for information or gives users related information
the user didn’t think to ask but might need or find useful. MIT Univ
Contact: Howard Shrobe, Director of Artificial Intelligence Lab www.mit.edu
Embedded Technologies in Houses—to make a house responsive, reactive to environmental
influences much like the human body does. MIT Univ. Contact: Asst Professor Chris Luebkeman
www.mit.edu
Materials that produce no out-gassing., in closed system environment like the space station any
gasses given off materials can dramatically affect the air quality of the space station. Materials they are
researching in various applications include glass textiles, non-porous composites, non-toxic adhesives,
material surfaces that do not promote bacterial growth. Also they research materials for which will
assist in low noise propagation. NASA International Space Station Project. Contact Laura Nelson @ NASA.
Email: [email protected]
Indoor Pollutant Sources Study: Lawrence Berkley National Lab is characterizing the sources
and contributing amounts of indoor air pollutants. From the information, reduction goals can be
outlined with specific actions through:
improved selection of furnishings (carpets, surfaces, adhesives)
low emission paints & coatings
isolation of fresh air intakes for air exchangers
Project LBNL-10. Also Project LBNL-15 is studying indoor air quality and related illnesses. It has
shown 4 major links between indoor air quality and health/wellness
Contact – Ashok Gadgil, LBL National Lab, Phone: 510-486-4651, email: [email protected]
William Fisk 510-486-5910 on Health link to indoor air quality
Technology to provide better indoor air quality, also radon prevention
Air &Energy Research Lab, Triangle Park , NC (EPA Lab) 919-541-2821
12
12
Technology Scanning Summary
Mechanicals & Power
Mechanical Systems/Power/Conversion
Solar dynamic energy conversion- generates electricity/power with small surface area,
lightweight, high power-weight ratio than conventional photovoltaic.
Great Lakes Industrial Technology Center (John Glenn Research Center), Cleveland OH, Phone: 216-433-4000
Newest Pulse Combustion Technology—new generation pulse combustion technology
reduces fuel consumption by 50%, reduces greenhouse gases by 30% through cleaner emissions.
New breakthrough research and design of heat chamber produces higher heat transfer coefficient
and thermal efficiencies of 97%. Under research for commercial and manufacturing uses, but
with further research could be applied to residential heating systems.
CSIRO Thermal & Fluids Engineering, Melbourne, Australia Contacts: Dr Dilip Manuel, Business Development
Manager, David Proctor, primary researcher, Telephone: 61-3-9252-6073, email: [email protected]
Micro-Capillary heat exchange/Cooling system—water moves through tiny tubes (twice
the diameter of pencil lead), is chilled to 59 degrees F for cooling or warmed to 86 degrees F for
heating, the large surface area promotes faster heat exchange with substantial energy savings.
Tubes are connected in parallel and placed in panel form, which can have plaster or other finishes
applied over the top. KaRo of Archhamps, France www.karo.cc
Fuel Cells: Pacific NW National Lab, Material Resources Group is establishing a system
engineering framework for development of fuel cells. They are defining barriers and mapping a
plan for advanced fuel cell development.
Contact – Bernie Saffell, Pacific NW National Lab, Richland, WA,
Phone : 509-372-4565 or email: [email protected]
Hot water recovery & heat capture: Oakridge National Lab, Buildings Technology Center is
researching emerging technology to capture heat from residential drain water. Gravity Film HX (GFX)
is process in test at two sites in Duluth, MN & Madison, WI to capture and reuse the heat from shower
and dishwasher hot water (63% of the hot water use in a house) for pre-heating of additional hot water.
This technology could save 35%-40% of the energy use in hot water heaters today per house.
A second project by this group is an integrated water-heating refrigerator. Using the excess
capacity and heat produced by refrigerator condenser for other uses in the house.
Mode 1- takes heat from refrigerators condenser and applies it to preheat water and air
Mode 2 – when no refrigeration is needed, condenser heat is applied to water and a
second evaporator is used to cool air space.
Benefits include reduced energy to produce hot water, extra space heat and reduced cooling load
in summer. A prototype is built and testing is underway. It’s joint effort between ORNL, NC State
Univ, and Davis Energy Group
Contact – John Tomlinson or Robert Wendt , Oak Ridge National Lab, Oak Ridge ,TN
Phone: 423-547-0260 email: [email protected]
Solar Pre-Heat of Fresh Air Cuts Heating Cost: Technology taken from the agriculture
industry for crop drying, uses solar energy to preheat air used in ventilation systems. Dept. of Energy
and the National Renewable Energy Lab are developing this technology for use in commercial and
residential structures. The system heats air by as much as 54 degrees F, reducing the annual heating
cost by $1-3 /sqft. SolarWall uses perforated metal sheeting as a solar absorber, which costs ½ as much
as traditional glazed solar panels.
Contact – NREL Technology Transfer Office Phone : 303-275-3008
Duct Audits for Peak Efficiency: Brookhaven National Lab is doing field research using duct
audits on forced air duct system performance. Their research is measuring inefficiencies in duct design
and layout, installation and assembly, which directly result in energy loss and indirectly, contribute to
poor indoor air quality. Project reference BNL-2
Contact – Richard Krajawski, Brookhaven National Lab, Phone : 514--344-3804 email: [email protected]
13
13
Technology Scanning Summary
Mechanicals & Power
Airflow Modeling software: Flovent provides software and consulting services to evaluate and
simulate airflow/movement in a structure during the design phase to optimize the design and performance
of HVAC systems for better indoor air quality healthier and more comfortable homes at lower costs.
By studying and modeling airflow more accurate equipment can be sized, floor plans and wall plans
can be adjusted to take problems areas away and create more efficient airflows thereby reducing the
energy needed to run the systems. They refer to it as interior aerodynamics .
Contact: Flowmerics 1-508-357-2012 www.flovent.com
Alternative to metal Ductwork: FabricAir, Inc in Louisville, KY has brought over a European
series of fabric ductwork to the US. UL approved and NFPA certified, used for over 30 years in Europe.
Its an alternative to metal ducts that is energy efficient, quieter, lightweight, lower installation cost.
The fabric ducts are available in sizes from 8-80 inch diameter round ducts. The fabric is anti mold.
Some have zipper connections for ease of assembly.
Contact www.fabricair.com
Other Fabric Duct Manufacturers exhibiting
Pal Int’l Soft air [email protected]
DuctSox, Dubuque, IA 1-319-589-2777
State-of-the Art in building automation: is becoming possible because of progress
in communication standards. BACnet is one set of operability protocols that allow field devices in
HVAC to talk to each other and centralized command centers. The other is LonMark and LonWorks
operability protocols. The LonMark catalog now contains over 220 products that inter-operate over a
LonWorks Network. The IT industry has spawned a whole new set of scripting languages with the
intent of integration and blending of protocols and soft technologies.
Contact Ken Sinclair [email protected]
Recycle/Reuse/Alternative use
Alternative Use/
Waste Stream
Recycling
Soy Bean Composite Products- environmentally friendly, agricultural renewable resource
-
Environ ™- bio-composite resembles wood but is made from recycled paper products, soy
flour and soy-based resin. For use in countertops and cabinetry, 1 ½ times harder than Oak
SoyOyl ™ - soy-based foam with uses in appliances, carpet, and construction products
Soy Based Wood Adhesives- are under development as replacement for Formaldehyde
adhesives used today in OSB and Plywood. These would reduce VOC’s emissions at major
processing plants making building products and sheet materials consumed in home building .
Contact: United Soybean Board St Louis, MO 888-235-4332 website: www.unitedsoybean.org
Coating from Shellfish protects materials- Environmentally –friendly, water-based coating
protects metals from corrosion & moisture. Harmless to environment –made from a component
extracted from crushed shellfish
Contact: Terry Tooker, Brookhaven National Lab 516-344-2078, Email: [email protected]
Solid waste into synthetic aggregate- Terra-Bond – process, encapsulates any form of solid waste
(contaminated soil, sand, mine tailings, ash, slag, mineral & refinery wastes) and binds their
contaminants to produce an inert aggregate for use in most any masonry, landscaping, concrete mix
application. Patent Pending in US & Canada.
University of Calgary- University Technologies International – Calgary, Alberta
Contact: Hugh Jones, VP of UTI, 403-270-7027, or [email protected]
14
14
Technology Scanning Summary
Process/Document Streamlining
Process Efficiency/Document Streamlining
Virtual Inspections
Embedded Sensors, smart structures for evaluation & remote inspection of composite structures
Hybrid computerized decision support system for virtual inspections. Uses digital camera &
optical scanner to acquire data & images to be machine processed, leaving out interpretive judgment
brings objective, quantitative, reliable results.
Purdue University, Construction Engineering Mgmt Division - West Lafayette, IN Phone 765-494-2240
Contact: Luh Maan Chang, School of Civil Engineering, Email: [email protected]
Mobile Inspection Assistance - developed by CM students for bridge inspectors, surveyors.
Wearable inspection computers with image capture, voice recognition, pen &voice interface
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Contact: Professor James Garrett 412-268-5674, Email: [email protected]
Next generation bar-coding for logistics, tracking, and integration software
Applied digital visualization tools for the design process
MIT- Boston, MA www.mit.edu from the MIT Research Digest
3M & Xerox E-paper—electronic paper is thin and flexible made with a thin layer of tiny round
beads sandwiched inside the paper to display images. The beads are black on one side white on the
other, specialized electronic devices signal the paper to flips certain beads to form the desired image.
Portable, up-datable, single sheet can be used for many images. Potential applications include
blueprints or construction documents. (no contact listed)
Human –Computer Intelligent Interaction (HCII) cutting edge research, artificial intelligence,
robotics, computer vision, cognitive science, human perception & interpretation. Beckman Institute for
Advanced Science &Technology- Univ of Illinois, Urbana, IL
Contact: (217) 244-1176, Email: [email protected]
Visual Remote control of devices-Signal &control remote mechanisms with visual information
stream—allows for more user- friendly control inputs and simpler, inexpensive means to control
remote devices. Method creates icons on the visual scene through which control information is sent
and interpreted at the remote site.(Patent issued) (File #0951) Could be applied in remote inspection
process, or automation of hazardous construction tasks University of Michigan TechTransfer , Ann
Arbor, MI Contact: Mitch Goodkin (734) 764-4290 Email: [email protected]
Adaptive computing system capable of learning & discovery—bridges the realms of artificial
intelligence and computer simulation of natural learning and discovery. Well suited for repeatable,
predictable tasks (patent issued) (file #0059) University of Michigan TechTransfer , Ann Arbor, MI
Contact: Mitch Goodkin (734) 764-4290 Email: [email protected]
Efficiently Moving People, Equipment, Materials, job Tasks--Logistics technology is an enhanced
capability to plan, analyze, deploy, and sustain material and personnel flow to multiple points. Real
time data updates, data reconciliation, data visualization, machine learning, Multi-level access &
security, integrated applications, simulations, training & communication. CECOM (Army
Communication Electronic Command) Research & Development Engineering, Fort Monmouth, NJ,
Contact: 908-532-0353
15
15
Technology Scanning Summary
General/Multiple
General
Environmental Energy Technologies: Lawrence Berkley National Lab,
Environmental Energy Technology Division has got ongoing research related to building in the following areas:
Control Strategies for indoor air quality- air flow &quality modeling, indoor chemistry
& exposure, ventilation technology &duct sealing
Electrochemical research on batteries & fuel cells
Glass &coating energy efficiency
Windows and Daylighting
Building energy use & control systems
Energy efficient lights
Contact – Mark Levine director of Environmental Energy Tech Div, Lawrence Berkley National Lab,
Keep water away from foundation-ElectroOsmotic Pulse (EOP)- repels water molecules
electronically, controlling groundwater intrusion into structures, preventing structural &
corrosion damage, while improving indoor air quality. Army Core of Engineers - Civil
Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL), Champaign,IL Contact: Vincent Hock 217-373-6753,
Email: [email protected]
Lower cost Surfaces-Sprayable Solid Surface applications: Granicoat- economical and durable
application with spray equipment, same properties as solid surface sheet material. More forgiving than
solid surface sheet goods, seamless look. With this new breakthrough, wall surfaces and other interiors
become much easier and economical to finish with solid surface material. 10 yr warranty.
Contact: Safas Corp Clinton ,NJ 973-772-5252, www.safascorp.com
Technology Adoption Process Research—dissertation on how technology is adopted into
construction in Sweden. Obstacles, incentives, and how to speed up adoption. Chalmers University of
Technology, Gothenberg, Sweden Contact Bengt Larsson www2.lib.chalmers.se
Innovation Impact Modeling- creating dynamic simulation of construction activities to assess
impacts of innovation in terms of cost, duration, worker safety (funded by Nat Science
Foundation) Contact: Professor Sarah Slaughter, MIT Boston, MA www.mit.edu Dept. of Civil &
Environmental Engineering
The Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center,
New 30,000 sqft facility, state-of-the-art composites-materials, structural component development
for both wood and non-wood materials. The new facility contains - Composite Materials Mfg
Science Laboratory, Computer Modeling and Visualization Laboratory, Environmental testing lab,
Machine shop, Mechanical testing lab, Micro-mechanics & nondestructive laboratory, Microscope
Laboratory, Polymer & Interface Science laboratory, Structural Testing Lab, Multi-Media Conf
room and a diverse, highly skilled technical staff of 22 along with student support. University of
Maine, Orono, Maine, Habib Dagher- Director 207-581-2123 www. aewc.umaine.edu
Fast-Cooking Technology- developed for space station living will find its way into the home over
the next several years. Cooking foods faster with focused, less wasted energy. The technology, called
Enersyst, uses jets of hot air on the top and bottom of the oven focused on the food. This is eliminates
warm up times and the energy to heat the whole oven cavity as is common in today’s ovens. Enersyst
air impingement technology is being tried in restaurants (Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Lincoln Food
Services), and vending machines where hot fast, oven fresh food is desired and now capable.
Thermador has been working with Enersyst to develop a line of residential energy saving, fast cooking,
ovens for the home–consumer . Contact: National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC) in Wheeling, WV
www.nttc.edu (304) 243-2455, Joeseph Allen PH.D, president - email: [email protected]
16
16
Technology Scanning Summary
General/Multiple
Institute for Research in Construction – Canada-- 3 areas (programs) of ongoing research
1. Urban Infrastructure Program
2. Bldg Envelope & Structure Program
- Durability & Repair
- Wall & Window systems
- Thermal/Moisture Performance
- Roofing Systems
Contact: Ralph Paroli, Program Director, 613-993-1596, Email: [email protected]
3. Indoor Environment Program
- Lighting/human factors
- Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality
- Acoustical
Contact: Dr. Morad Atif, Program Director, 613-993-9580, Email: [email protected]
Canadian Centre for Housing Technology – We’re building answers
Contact: 613-991-1006, website: www.ccht-cctr.gc.ca
Research Projects:
- Conductive Concrete
- Low output heating systems
- Integrated mechanical systems
- Thermal performance of steel framed houses
Location Efficient Mortgages – similar to energy efficient mortgages, increases the amount of
money home buyers in urban areas can qualify for, if they buy in areas where they shop at nearby
stores, walk, bike to work or use public transit, rather than driving to work or shopping centers.
Designed to provide economic incentive for environmentally progressive communities and reduce
dependency on cars.
Safety
Safer digging near utilities-Soft trencher –uses supersonic air to break soil, loose dirt then vacuumed
away. Harmless to buried utilities, safer for the operator. Clears a 1’ wide trench (wider with multiple
passes) up to depth of 10’ @ 15cfm/min. Electric Power Research Institute- Palo Alto, CA
Contact: Steve Okonek, 3412 Hillview, Palo Alto,CA 94304-1395, Phone- 850-855-1068
Safe Excavation -electronic device that attaches to backhoe provides real time warning of
utility line immediately ahead of digging tool. Detects and provides depth, location and size
of buried cables, gas lines, toxic waste lines. Attaches to trenchers, backhoes, and other
digging machines.Ready to implement needs investors or contract to develop. Working on
enhanced version that detects plastic coated lines and fiber optic lines.
Contact Leonhard Bernhold, Assoc. Professor of Civil Eng. at NC State, (919)-515-3677
Research to reduce back injuries in construction, NC State Industrial Eng. Dept.,
Ergonomics Lab—motion analysis on job sites, tool development prototypes using Lumbar
Motion Monitor, comparative tool & equip testing North Carolina State Univ., Center for
Construction Technology & Integration
Campus Box 7908, Raleigh, NC 27695-7908, Phone (919) 515-3677, Dr. Steven Lorenc, Assoc Director
Safer inspection-Climber Robot—mobile robot propels itself vertically for inspection, remote sensing
of man-made structures. Applications: Ship building, Aircraft inspection, bridge inspection, building
inspection. Could be used in inspecting roofs, 2 nd story applications, foundation or trenches.
Vanderbilt University, Office of Technology Transfer- Nashville, TN (615) 343-2430
Safety Equipment from Logging Industry:
This firm provides some of the best safety devices for the logging industry and now construction
industry as well including its new state of the art Ultra-Jack Scaffold system. Also Fall arresters,
roof brackets, and wind anchors. Qual Craft Industries, Inc, Stoughton MI 781-344-1000
www.qualcraft.com
17
17