Nextglass LLC. New award FOA number: DE-FOA-0003488 galvanizing leaps in advanced super insulating glass (glasing) control number: 3488-1531 project title: ''a low-cost, oven-free vacuum insulated…

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded a $1.769 million Cooperative Agreement to Nextglass LLC on March 12, 2026, under the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy program (CFDA 81.135) to develop a low-cost, oven-free vacuum insulated glazing fabrication process.

Nextglass will collaborate with several partners to design and validate a vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) manufacturing approach that eliminates the need for costly vacuum ovens, increases production speed, and enables retrofit of existing insulated glazing production lines. The project targets unit costs below $0.83 per square foot while achieving superior thermal performance of R10.8 to R12.3, removing market barriers to widespread adoption of advanced window technology.

Performance occurs in Rockville, Maryland, through March 11, 2029. Nextglass is a minority-owned, self-certified small disadvantaged business and Subcontinent Asian American-owned limited liability company based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The source identifies several collaborative partners but does not specify their names or the work they will deliver. ARPA-E funds high-potential, high-impact energy technologies that are too early for private-sector investment.

Nextglass LLC. New award FOA number: DE-FOA-0003488 galvanizing leaps in advanced super insulating glass (glasing) control number: 3488-1531 project title: ''a low-cost, oven-free vacuum insulated glazing development.'' nextglass, in collaboration with several partners, proposes an oven-free vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) fabrication process that significantly increases production speed and reduces capital expenditures by eliminating the need for costly vacuum ovens and allowing for retrofitting existing insulated glazing lines. This innovative approach, utilizing a flexible metal-soldered VIG design, aims to lower VIG costs to under $0.83/FT² and achieve superior thermal performance (R10.8-R12.3), thereby removing market barriers for widespread adoption.