FIRE-RESISTANT, FIRE RETARDANT AND/OR THERMAL INSULATION
This technology is an open-cell foam, such as an aerogel, that has a fire-resistant and heat-absorbing material embedded throughout its internal pores. The embedded material is an inorganic hydrated salt that absorbs large amounts of heat when it melts, slowing the spread of fire and heat. The manufacturing process uses a sequence of solvent exchanges to deposit this phase-change material evenly inside the foam without destroying its structure, resulting in a rigid, nail-able and screw-able composite panel.
What you could build
A structural insulation panel or battery enclosure liner sold to EV manufacturers and battery pack integrators that simultaneously insulates, delays thermal runaway propagation, and meets fire-safety certification standards, replacing multiple separate material layers.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia's growing data center corridor and port-adjacent automotive logistics hub create demand for fire-resistant thermal management materials in both battery storage systems and fleet electrification supply chains.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept, described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated, supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely, the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Massimo BERTINO, Tristan MOON, Dustin CLIFFORD, Jonathan KO, Gordon WALLER
- Granted
- August 4, 2026
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 12698373
Jointly owned. the university holds this patent together with THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. Its interest can be licensed on its own; terms are worked out in the first conversation.
Ready to talk?
the university handles licensing for this technology. Email us for an introduction patents@harbor.capital.
Sonar summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.