The thermally separated composite panel assembly includes a steel panel, a thermal separation layer, a plenum and cladding. The plenum is operably attached to the thermal separation layer. The cladding is operably attached to the plenum. The steel panel defines the size of the thermally separated composite panel. The steel panel has an outer perimeter and the outer perimeter of the plenum is in registration therewith. The thermally separated composite panel may have a single window therein or a plurality of windows. A plurality of thermally separated composite panels when used together will form a wall.

A method of manufacturing building panels includes assembling a frame of a building panel. The frame defines at least one cavity and at least one injection aperture in fluid communication with the at least one cavity. The method also includes positioning the frame on one of a base and a shelf of a multi-panel consolidation device having a plurality of shelves, with the shelves being in an expanded configuration, and at least substantially enclosing the at least one cavity. The method also includes forcing the shelves of the multi-panel consolidation device into a collapsed configuration, and injecting an expandable polymer through the at least one injection aperture into the at least one cavity. The method further includes forcing the shelves into an expanded configuration after a predetermined period of time selected to permit the expandable polymer to form a foam bonded to the frame.

A method of manufacturing building panels includes assembling a frame of a building panel. The frame defines at least one cavity and at least one injection aperture in fluid communication with the at least one cavity. The method also includes positioning the frame on one of a base and a shelf of a multi-panel consolidation device having a plurality of shelves, with the shelves being in an expanded configuration, and at least substantially enclosing the at least one cavity. The method also includes forcing the shelves of the multi-panel consolidation device into a collapsed configuration, and injecting an expandable polymer through the at least one injection aperture into the at least one cavity. The method further includes forcing the shelves into an expanded configuration after a predetermined period of time selected to permit the expandable polymer to form a foam bonded to the frame.

Provided are Phase Change Material (PCMs) compositions for thermal management in different applications such as building, automotive, airplane, truck, shipping, packaging, textile and food storage and transport applications. Provided are compositions comprising non-toxic molecules with enhanced PCM characteristics comprising boronic acids and equivalents, including for example, non-aromatic cyclic boronic acids, alkyl boronic acids, alkene boronic acids, arylboronic acids, and related compounds. In alternative embodiments, provided are thermal energy storage compositions, products of manufacture or systems comprising: a phase change material (PCM) composition comprising a boronic acid or boronic acid derivatives, wherein the PCM undergoes solid to liquid and liquid to solid phase change transitions.

Provided are Phase Change Material (PCMs) compositions for thermal management in different applications such as building, automotive, airplane, truck, shipping, packaging, textile and food storage and transport applications. Provided are compositions comprising non-toxic molecules with enhanced PCM characteristics comprising boronic acids and equivalents, including for example, non-aromatic cyclic boronic acids, alkyl boronic acids, alkene boronic acids, arylboronic acids, and related compounds. In alternative embodiments, provided are thermal energy storage compositions, products of manufacture or systems comprising: a phase change material (PCM) composition comprising a boronic acid or boronic acid derivatives, wherein the PCM undergoes solid to liquid and liquid to solid phase change transitions.

A vacuum insulated panel (VIP) and a method of manufacturing a VIP includes a rigid core material having high insulation and low conductivity properties. The rigid core may be made of an inorganic material that effectively mimics a porous silica core material. The core material includes large particles of an inorganic material having a diameter in a range of 10 μm to 50 μm. A portion of these large particles may be ground into small particles having a diameter of less than 1 μm. The small particles are mixed with a portion of the large particles to form a core material which is then mixed with a fiber skeleton and compacted under vacuum along with a fibrous skeleton for structure. The resulting structure provides a porosity ranging from 10 nm to 1 μm in diameter.

A vacuum insulated panel (VIP) and a method of manufacturing a VIP includes a rigid core material having high insulation and low conductivity properties. The rigid core may be made of an inorganic material that effectively mimics a porous silica core material. The core material includes large particles of an inorganic material having a diameter in a range of 10 μm to 50 μm. A portion of these large particles may be ground into small particles having a diameter of less than 1 μm. The small particles are mixed with a portion of the large particles to form a core material which is then mixed with a fiber skeleton and compacted under vacuum along with a fibrous skeleton for structure. The resulting structure provides a porosity ranging from 10 nm to 1 μm in diameter.

A privacy apparatus includes one or more substantially cork panels. Each panel can be configured to provide visual and/or sound privacy for a certain work space. The panel can be supported on a floor via one or more base elements and/or may be reinforced in rigidity and/or strength via one or more supports. Some embodiments of the apparatus can include a first panel and a second panel attached together via one or more supports press fit within openings defined in rear faces of the panels.

An insulating system for retrofitting the roof and/or walls of a building. The retrofit system includes a first layer of insulating material extending transverse to the purlins, girts and chords and atop the existing roof or wall structure as well as a plurality of longitudinally extending bridge members each with an upper and a lower surface. The system also includes a plurality of orthogonally extending spacer members that compresses the first layer of insulating material proximate to the spacer members and allowing an otherwise uncompressed first insulation layer to span between the spacer members. The system further includes a second layer of insulation extending across the upper surface of the bridge members wherein a plurality of panel clips each with a panel clip tab are disposed atop the second layer of insulation and are fastened to the bridge member and the clip tabs engage with the lateral edges of the roof or wall panels in the formation of a water resistant seam.

An insulating system for retrofitting the roof and/or walls of a building. The retrofit system includes a first layer of insulating material extending transverse to the purlins, girts and chords and atop the existing roof or wall structure as well as a plurality of longitudinally extending bridge members each with an upper and a lower surface. The system also includes a plurality of orthogonally extending spacer members that compresses the first layer of insulating material proximate to the spacer members and allowing an otherwise uncompressed first insulation layer to span between the spacer members. The system further includes a second layer of insulation extending across the upper surface of the bridge members wherein a plurality of panel clips each with a panel clip tab are disposed atop the second layer of insulation and are fastened to the bridge member and the clip tabs engage with the lateral edges of the roof or wall panels in the formation of a water resistant seam.