Research & development: Patents
The topic of vacuum insulation has been researched in many countries throughout the world in the last few decades. The first graph below shows that Germany, the USA and Japan have registered patents as a result of research.
Graph 1: Number of patents concerning vacuum insulation in different countries
These patents cover various aspects of vacuum insulation. The focus of research work has shifted in the last few years from panel manufacture to quality control and to envelope design (Graph 2). The focus of research work in Germany and Japan is illustrated in Graphs 3 and 4 respectively. Building applications make up a considerable part of the research work on vacuum insulation in Germany.
Graph 2: Shift of focus in research worldwide in the last few decades
Graph 3: Fields of research in Germany
