Vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) is one of the most promising technologies for energy-efficient buildings — a thin vacuum layer between two glass panes provides thermal insulation superior to conventional double glazing. However, maintaining the vacuum over decades requires getter materials that continuously absorb residual gases inside the sealed unit.

This paper introduces activationless getter materials based on Ca₀.₃₅Li₀.₄₅Mg₀.₂₀ — non-toxic alternatives to barium-based getters. These materials begin absorbing gases immediately at room temperature without thermal activation, offering higher sorption capacity than conventional transition-metal getters.

The paper also proposes a modified assembly sequence: the getter is introduced under vacuum after thermal outgassing and edge sealing, preserving the full sorption capacity of the material.

A mathematical model of the sorption process predicts that with sufficient getter mass, a VIG window can maintain its thermal insulation for approximately 40 years — matching the expected lifetime of modern building facades.

Citation

Chuntonov, K., Ivanov, A.O., Verbitsky, B. & Setina, J. (2018). Getters for Vacuum Insulated Glazing. Vacuum, 155, 300-306.

  • WO 2018/100440 — Activationless Getters and Method of Installation into Vacuum Insulated Glazing (2018)
  • US 9,586,173 — Activationless Gas Purifiers with High Sorption Capacity (2017)
  • US 9,339,869 — Apparatus and Method for Droplet Casting of Reactive Alloys (2016)