INCIDENTAL INVENTION

In 1893, Sir James Dewar, a Scottish scientist invented the vacuum flask in the course of extensive research into liquefaction of hydrogen and established the two fundamental principles of vacuum insulation: the use of high vacuum to insulate gas conduction and convection heat transfer, and the use of high reflective coating to reduce radiation heat transfer.

CONCEPT PROPOSED
F. Zoller in Germany first described the concept of vacuum glazing in a patent in 1913.
RESEARCH HISTORY
  • the research and development on vacuum glazing has gradually become more active around the world.
  • a vacuum glazing research team led by D.K. Benson, a professor of Solar Energy Research Institute in Colorado, U.S. established a number of technical theories, ideas, and laboratory data that guide many others in later days.
  • a research team led by Professor R.E. Collins at the Department of Applied Physics of the University of Sydney improved the process and developed the first prototype in 1989.
  • they created the first 1m x 1m practical vacuum glazing and applied for several patents.
RECENT DEVELOPMENT

Overseas:

In 1994, NSG of Japan purchased the patent rights from the University of Sydney and officially launched the vacuum glazing products in 1997.

Domestic:

China started to develop vacuum glass in 1998. By 2008, it has established the world’s first industry standard for vacuum glazing, JC-T1079-2008.

POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

In 2015, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) passed the Paris Agreement. Nearly 200 countries around the world agreed to strengthen cooperation in dealing with the threat of climate change. The aim of the agreement is to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. In 2015, China submitted the Enhanced Actions on Climate Change: China's Intended Nationally Determined Contributions to the Secretariat of UNFCCC. According to the document, China has determined its actions by 2030 to lower carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 60% to 65% from the 2005 level. The China Design Standard for Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings, GB50189-2015.

INDUSTRY STANDARD
China started to develop vacuum glass in 1998. By 2008, it has established the world’s first industry standard for vacuum glazing, JC-T1079-2008.