Infrared Reflective Glass with Embedded Silver Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass articles fail to effectively reflect infrared radiation while maintaining transparency to visible light and durability, as surface coatings are prone to damage and degradation.
Innovation Solution
A glass article with discrete layers of metallic silver formed within its body, spaced to create optical cavities, which reflect infrared radiation and transmit visible light, using an ion-exchange process and thermal treatment in a reducing atmosphere to enhance durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surface coatings are applied to increase infrared reflectivity, then infrared radiation reflection is improved, but the coatings are subject to damage through physical contact and degradation by exposure to the elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the infrared reflective function with the glass substrate itself by forming metallic silver layers within the glass body during the glass formation process. This integration eliminates the need for separate surface coatings, as the glass article itself becomes the functional element that reflects infrared radiation while maintaining durability through its inherent structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite glass article by incorporating metallic silver layers within the glass matrix. This composite structure combines the infrared reflective properties of metallic silver with the protective and structural advantages of glass, resulting in a durable material that resists physical contact damage and environmental degradation while maintaining high infrared reflectivity.
2Loss of energy
If surface coatings are used to reflect infrared radiation, then thermal heating effects are reduced, but the coatings are exposed to physical contact and environmental degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal management function directly into the glass substrate by forming metallic silver layers within the glass body. This integration allows the glass article to reflect infrared radiation and reduce thermal heating effects without exposing any surface coatings to physical contact or environmental degradation, as the reflective layers are embedded within the glass matrix.
3Reliability
If discrete layers of metallic silver are formed within the glass body, then infrared reflectivity and visible transmittance are achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the metallic silver layers into the glass substrate during the glass formation process itself, rather than adding them as a separate subsequent step. This integration is achieved by controlling the formation conditions to precipitate silver ions into discrete layers within the glass body, thereby achieving the desired optical properties without requiring complex post-processing manufacturing steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The glass article achieves significant infrared reflectance and visible transmittance while being more robust and resistant to damage, as the metallic silver layers are embedded within the glass, improving energy efficiency by reducing thermal heating effects.
Implementation Method 1
The glass article reflects at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation incident on the glass article having a wavelength from 800 nm to 2500 nm
Implementation Method 2
transmits at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation incident on the glass article having a wavelength from 390 nm to 750 nm
Implementation Method 3
Sodium ions in the glass substrate are then exchanged for silver ions
Implementation Method 4
The glass article is then positioned in a stream of flowing hydrogen gas and heated in the stream of flowing hydrogen gas to a reducing temperature from about 250° C. to about 300° C.
Implementation Method 5
heated in the stream of flowing hydrogen gas to a reducing temperature to form a plurality of discrete layers of metallic silver
Implementation Method 6
The glass article is positioned in a first salt bath comprising KNO3 to diffuse K+1 ions into the glass article thereby forming a layer of compressive stress in the glass article
Data Source
AI summary
Glass articles with infrared reflectivity and methods for making the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, glass article having infrared reflectivity includes a first surface, a second surface and a body extending between the first and second surfaces. A plurality of discrete layers of metallic silver are formed in the body creating at least one optical cavity in the body. Each discrete layer may have a thickness T such that 100 nm≤T≤250 nm and may be spaced apart from adjacent layers of metallic silver by a spacing S≤500. The glass article reflects at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation incident on the glass article having a wavelength from 800 nm to 2500 nm and transmits at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation incident on the glass article having a wavelength from 390 nm to 750 nm.