High performance thin film for energy saving windows

Important results from the project

Thin silver layers are a critical functional component of modern low-emissivity (low-e) coatings used in energy saving window applications. MIMSI Materials has developed a high performance thin film material that is a significant improvement over state-of-the-art silver (Ag) films used by the glass industry. The goal of the project was to verify that MIMSI Materials´s thin film innovation could meet or exceed customer requirements in a pre-production environment. The project goals were met for a layer thickness range of relevance to several application segments.

Expected long term effects

Using project partner Fraunhofer IST´s inline coater equipment, the performance of MIMSI-Ag layers were compared against an industry-standard Ag reference layer. The MIMSI-Ag layers exceeded industry best practice, i.e., a 10% layer thickness reduction was achieved for a sheet resistance of relevance to high-end low-e window applications. The positive results empower MIMSI Materials to enter commercial discussions with market leading coated flat glass vendors, with the promise of substantially increasing market adoption of this energy saving technology.

Approach and implementation

The planning and implementation of the project encompassed extensive preparation prior to the visit, including setting up a collaboration agreement with Fraunhofer IST to regulate IPR and also theoretical and experimental investigations. The verification activity was performed by two technology experts of the MIMSI team. They traveled to Fraunhofer´s facility in Germany, and over a 1-week period carried out a multitude of planned experiments and characterisation/analysis, with oversight and support from Fraunhofer experts.