Liquid NanoTint Performance Evaluation

The scope of this project is to test the effectiveness of DryWired's NanoTint in a real world setting by applying it to UI's Golf Pro Shop and comparing data before and after application. Design and build a portable demonstration unit to conduct small scale tests of the material. =Problem Definition=

Background
An enormous amount of energy is spent heating and cooling our buildings and much of it is wasted through the building’s windows. Most options to help insulate windows and reduce solar heat gain are expensive or block out most of the window’s visible light. Liquid Nanotint offers a cheap and easy to apply coating that claims to block almost all UV and IR rays while reducing visible light transmission very little. We will be applying Liquid Nanotint to University of Idaho’s Golf Pro Shop in order to quantify the coating’s effectiveness and electricity use reduction in a real-world setting. We will also be building a demonstration unit that will show Liquid Nanotint’s benefit’s and effectiveness in real time to prospective clients.

=UI Golf Pro Shop= Project Deliverables
 * We will be applying Liquid Nanotint to University of Idaho’s Golf Pro Shop in order to quantify the coating’s effectiveness and electricity use reduction in a real-world setting.

Specifications
The Golf Pro Shop NanoTint application should meet the following requirements:
 * Liquid NanoTint should be almost unnoticeable and should not block more than 40% of visible light transmission (VLT).
 * Energy saving analysis and comparison to previous years.
 * The coating should be professional and withstand day-to-day wear.
 * Documentation and analysis of the coating process.

Project Learning
Liquid Nanotint is a thermal barrier coating applied like paint to windows. It blocks 99.9% and 95% of ultraviolet and infrared radiation respectively while transmitting up to 78% of visible light. This allows it to drastically reduce the solar heat gain from windows without negatively impacting window visibility or aesthetics. It’s much cheaper than alternatives, costing only $2-$3 per square foot.

Application
 * Safety
 * High concentration methanol is used to apply Liquid Nanotint, which is highly flammable and toxic in liquid and vapor forms. As such, Nanotint should be applied away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces. Protective gloves, clothing, and eye protection should be used. If applying indoors or in any poorly ventilated area, dual cartridge respirators should be used.
 * Procedure
 * Application requires ambient temperatures of 45-95 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 70% relative humidity.
 * Application occurs with three steps; buff, primer, and Nanotint applications.
 * Buffing serves to remove oils and smooths the application surface.
 * Priming involves 90% methanol and prepares the window for the Nanotint coating.
 * Lastly, the Nanotint coating is mixed and applied using a painter’s roller and a specific technique that minimizes streaking and other defects.
 * Lessons Learned
 * Nanotint must remain above 45°F for the entire curing process.
 * When Applying you have a little over 5 minutes to coat the window before the Nanotint will start hardening and cause pebbling when rolled.
 * Primer will strip dye from microfiber cloths and get on the window.
 * Lint free KimWipes work great for cleaning and priming the windows.
 * Once you have begun application of Nanotint you cannot go back and try to fix impurities or inclusions as it will cause pebbling and potentially make them worse. Continue the application steps as directed and the issue may be remedied.

Design Validation
=Demonstration Unit= Project Deliverables
 * We will be building a demonstration unit that will show Liquid Nanotint’s benefit’s and effectiveness in real time to prospective clients.

Specifications
The demonstration unit must meet the following requirements:
 * Quantify the difference in UV between coated and uncoated panes of glass.
 * Quantify the difference in IR between coated and uncoated panes of glass.
 * Quantify the difference in VLT between coated and uncoated panes of glass.
 * The total system should not exceed 20 lbs.
 * Must be portable.
 * Size should not exceed 2.5' by 2.5'.
 * The unit needs to withstand travel and shipping.
 * Aesthetically pleasing and professional.

Project Learning
The most significant lessons came from the thermocouple stands. To cut the stands out of 1/4" thick clear acrylic using a laser cutter, located in the Gauss Johnson building, masking tape was applied to the bottom of the acrylic to prevent the gas released to ignite and cause burn marks. Another lesson learned was to increase the distance between the thermocouple stand and the glass because the coated glass itself has a higher temperature than the uncoated glass (as shown in the first picture at the top of this webpage) but is cooler on the other side.

Design Considerations
The first design (left) Made from 8020 aluminum extrude this design puts both pieces of glass side by side. This design is very stable, but much larger and takes longer and requires additional setup. The bulk also makes it harder to transport unless you want to increase the setup time even more.

The second design (right) This design is a box with two walls on top with slots in them to allow glass to slide into them, making it easy to switch between coated and uncoated panes of glass. The box in this design allows storage of testing components and equipment underneath. Uses multiple slots in the wood to allow for quick setup and tear down it giving it portability. The downsides of this design is that it is not possible to compare both panes of glass at the same time and the frame is considerably more fragile as it's made up of wood.

Final Design


While making alterations to our previous designs we came upon the design above. In selecting this design we strove to meet the design parameters that it must be small, lightweight, portable, and cost effective. This design takes into account all of these design considerations and has the added perks of professional aesthetics. Our final design is made up of two aluminum frames each containing a one pane of glass, one coated with Liquid Nanotint and one uncoated, that fold on hinges allowing it to be folded into a smaller size for transportation. In addition to the hinges a latch and handle were added to help keep the folded frames together and make it easy to transport respectively. Another very important aspect of this design is that it makes running live action tests on both panes of glass at the exact same time extremely easy.

Design Features
 * Handle for easy transportation
 * Hinges for portability
 * Latch for portability
 * Wood engraved corner brackets for aesthetics
 * End caps and rubber stopper between frames for safety
 * Thermocouple stand for live action testing

Design Specs:
 * Wieght: 9lbs
 * Dimensions folded: 14.25" x 2.75" x 15.25"
 * Dimensions unfolded: 28" x 1.25" x 15.25"

Design Validation
=Team Members=

=Additional Documentation=

Project Schedule

Meeting Minutes

Presentations

Client Interview

This wiki page was created by Oscar Lopez. Last update: 05/06/2019