The partner organisation SUMTEQ GmbH developed and produced SUMFOAM, while the beneficiary va-Q-tec AG was responsible for its characterisation using its own facilities or by services from third entities. The main objectives established for the project were achieved:
- SUMFOM-VIPs prototypes with initial thermal conductivities below 5 mW/m·K (similar to fumed silica VIPs);
- SUMFOAM pore sizes between 0,3 µm and 5 µm, mostly below 1 µm for several foam compositions;
- VIP density in the range of 100 kg/m3 up to 200 kg/m3, mostly in between 150-180 kg/m3, which is similar or a bit lower than fumed silica VIPs;
- Similar heat loss values of a transport box prototype equipped with SUMFOAM-VIPs in comparison to a fumed silica one under established laboratory conditions;
- About 50% less environmental impact, expressed in kg CO2-eq/m2 panel, than fumed silica (preliminary in-house calculations).
The dissemination activities had as objective to demonstrate the research results to interested organizations and general public, making them aware of the societal challenges behind the topic of research, while promoting research careers inside industry and the product itself under research. For that, several activities were performed throughout the project time-frame. Project’s results were communicated in oral form in four scientific and/or technological international conferences. Among these, the researcher received two awards for the best oral presentation. The project was also represented on two business fairs. To reach the young public, THEcore participated in four job fairs organized by universities or high-schools. Seminars to Universities/Research Institutes accounted to four events. The researcher participated in the organization of “Open Days” in the company, showing to the young students the overall work environment, the technologies , the economical or societal impact in that the products may have a positive influence, etc.
Scientific publications included one extended abstract published on the 13th International Vacuum Insulation Symposium (IVIS) proceedings and another one submitted to the next (14th) IVIS conference, to happen in September 2019. A scientific paper was submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, which is currently under evaluation. Two flyers were prepared and have been distributed into fairs, seminars, conferences and in personal contacts and meetings of the researcher. Also, the outcomes of the THEcore project have being continuously published into the va-Q-tec webpage and social media, like Linkedin and Twitter. In total, it accounts to about 30 posts or news in social media, some of them available not only in English, but also in German.
SUMFOAM has being introduced to the appliance industry during regular meetings of va-Q-tec and its partners. Building industry is reached by introducing SUMFOAM VIPs into demonstration objects within national and international projects (currently RECO2ST - GA nr. 768576). Research funded projects like RECO2ST give a great opportunity for the material to be further investigated, developed and optimized.
