11th June 1999

Email this Page |

Researchers at the University of Ulster have patented a revolutionary new window that could cut central heating bills in half.

The window, made of multiple sheets of glass with a very thin vacuum separating them, has better heat-retaining properties than a solid wall, according to Dr Philip Eames, leader of the research team at the University's Jordanstown, Northern Ireland campus.

Unlike normal double-glazing, the UU's system gives a very thin, light product, with a wide range of applications in both the domestic and the industrial construction sectors.

The secret is in the way it is made: the new window is made of a very thin sandwich of two panes of glass separated by a vacuum. The vacuum enables the system to offer unprecedented levels of thermal performance, radically reducing the levels of heat loss through windows.

The new evacuated glazing system is the result of a five year R&D project at the University led by Dr Philip Eames, with colleagues Dr Philip Griffiths, Dr Trevor Hyde and Professor Brian Norton

"It's an exciting development. The performance of our evacuated glazing system, due to the innovations we've made, puts it way ahead of its rivals," said Dr Eames.

"With further development the cost could be similar to that of standard double glazing, in broad terms if this new glazing system is installed in a domestic home, it should cut home heating costs by around a half. This makes it an ideal choice for both the new build and retrofit markets," says Dr Eames.

There are many other applications for the new glazing system besides windows.

"It's great for domestic and business premises in cold climates, but it also has applications in other commercial fields, for example in the making of things like fridge doors for supermarkets, off licences and pubs. The evacuated glass will cut the energy required to maintain a constant temperature - and the thinness of the material offers excellent visibility of products in the refrigerated cabinets," said Dr Eames.

Oven doors, are another potential use, with the evacuated glazing again offering thinness and visibility with high resistance to the transmission of heat.

To make the product, the University aims to link up with a high volume glass producer, and negotiations are under way to commercialise the product with several different glass producers.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk