e-Chromic LLC is the first to take an option on Department of Energy (DOE) technology as part of the new "America's Next Top Energy Innovator" challenge, which makes some 15,000 patents available to entrepreneurs for just $1000.
The Boulder, Colorado-based start-up will license electrochromic technology developed by the DOE's National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) to create a new thin film window material that reflects sunlight on demand, making windows more energy efficient while reducing cooling costs for users.
Following President Obama's call in the State of the Union for new investments in American innovation, DOE announced in late March the "America's Next Top Energy Innovator" challenge. The program aims to make it easier, faster and cheaper for start-ups to license groundbreaking technologies and move them to the marketplace.
As of May 2, entrepreneurs interested in commercializing any of the 15,000 patents and patent applications held by the 17 National Labs can get a streamlined option agreement from DOE. Entrepreneurs can take an option on National Lab technologies for a $1,000 upfront fee. The portfolio of patents available includes biomass, vehicle technology and grid energy storage.
The electrochromic technology to be used by e-Chromic works like this: an electric field changes the tint of a window, allowing users to control the transparency based on the time of day, temperature, or exposure to sunlight.
Currently, electrochromic windows turn darker in color when activated, which absorbs heat, DOE says. DOE's technology, however, reflects sunlight, which keeps buildings cooler. They can be retrofitted to existing windows, potentially reducing cooling costs by 25-30% for commercial buildings during air conditioning months.
In November, Saint-Gobain, one of the world's largest glass and construction material manufacturers invested $80 million in Sage Electrochromics, which will produce dynamic glass windows in Minnesota. Meanwhile, competitor Soladigm plans to make similar windows in Mississippi.
Entrepreneurs can view the DOE's available technologies and the restructured patent agreement at the Innovation Portal website:
