Imagine a world where your home’s windows do not let heat escape. Such innovation would keep your living space cozy during winter and cool in the summer heat, resulting in slashed heating and cooling expenses while minimizing energy consumption and carbon footprint. This dream could soon be a reality thanks to AeroShield, a startup emerging from MIT dedicated to manufacturing advanced energy-efficient windows.
Buildings account for an astonishing 36% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and traditional windows significantly contribute to energy inefficiency. AeroShield’s groundbreaking technology is set to reduce heat loss by as much as 65%, thereby lowering energy usage and cutting carbon emissions in the process. Recently, the company announced the inauguration of a new facility aimed at producing its state-of-the-art energy-efficient windows.
“Our mission is to decarbonize the built environment,” states Elise Strobach SM ’17, PhD ’20, co-founder and CEO of AeroShield. “Making affordable, thermally insulating windows available will support this objective and help reduce homeowners’ heating and cooling bills.” According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an estimated 30% of heating costs for most homeowners can be attributed to ineffective windows.
Pioneering Technology Development at MIT
Research that laid the foundation for AeroShield’s revolutionary window technology began a decade ago within the laboratory of Evelyn Wang at MIT. In late 2014, the lab garnered support from ARPA-E, along with subsequent backing from sponsors like the MIT Energy Initiative and the MIT Tata Center for Technology and Design starting in 2016.
The team’s focus was on aerogels—remarkable materials known for their ultra-lightweight and porous nature that serves as exceptional heat insulators. Originally developed in the 1930s for applications like thermal insulation in NASA missions, the MIT team envisioned incorporating transparent aerogels in window designs. The only challenge: achieving transparency in aerogels has been historically elusive.
A typical aerogel comprises loosely connected nanoscale silica particles largely composed of air, but these particles scatter light, creating opacity. After extensive theoretical and experimental research spanning five years, the MIT team found that selecting small, uniform silica particles allowed for the creation of transparent aerogels. This innovation means thicker aerogel sheets can provide enhanced thermal insulation without compromising clarity.
Various applications for their super-insulating, transparent aerogels were explored by teams within the MIT lab. However, Strobach pinpointed enhanced window thermal efficiency as a particularly impactful approach to combat climate change.
The researchers realized they could integrate aerogel sheets into the gaps of double-pane windows, effectively doubling their insulation capabilities. These windows could be produced on existing manufacturing lines with minor adjustments, making them economical and flexible in design. Once installed, these advanced windows can significantly lower electricity bills and energy consumption.
The implications for building energy efficiency are staggering. “In winter alone, windows in the U.S. dissipate enough energy to power over 50 million homes,” explains Strobach. “This energy wastage accounts for roughly 350 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions—equivalent to the emissions from 76 million cars.” The introduction of super-insulating windows could allow homeowners and property managers to substantially mitigate carbon dioxide emissions while enjoying billions in savings on heating and cooling costs.
The AeroShield Journey
In 2019, Strobach and her colleagues from MIT—Aaron Baskerville-Bridges MBA ’20, SM ’20 and Kyle Wilke PhD ’19—launched AeroShield with the goal of further developing and commercializing their aerogel-based window technology. Their dedication has led to two significant milestones recently.
This spring, AeroShield unveiled its new pilot manufacturing facility located in Waltham, Massachusetts, which will produce, test, and certify its inaugural line of full-size windows and patio doors. This state-of-the-art 12,000-square-foot facility will enhance the company’s capabilities with advanced aerogel R&D labs, manufacturing machinery, assembly lines, and testing equipment. Strobach notes, “Our pilot facility will supply window and door manufacturers as we launch our first products and will also serve as our R&D headquarters for developing the next generation of energy-efficient products.”
In addition, AeroShield secured a $14.5 million grant from ARPA-E’s SCALEUP program, aimed at accelerating the transition to market for innovative energy technologies. This investment will significantly expand the company’s production capabilities to tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of units annually.
Strobach highlights two indirect benefits of the SCALEUP funding. “It enables us to accelerate the scale-up phase of our technology development,” she shares. “We’ve established that we can create large-area aerogel sheets suitable for entry and patio doors. This award allows us to pursue that vision directly, equipping us with the necessary resources to create larger aerogels without proving smaller sizes first.”
Moreover, the SCALEUP award acts as a validation of AeroShield’s business potential to other investors. Recently, the company also announced an additional $5 million funding boost from existing investors, including the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and MassVentures, as well as newcomer MassMutual Ventures. Strobach emphasizes the crucial role of partnerships in achieving AeroShield’s mission. “We recognize that our foundational technology can transform the industry. Our focus now is on collaboration and timely execution to meaningfully contribute to combating climate change.
Photo credit & article inspired by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
