Branch Technology develops Energy-Efficient Retrofit System for US Air Force

Branch Technology announced that it has been selected by AFWERX for a .13 million SBIR Direct-to-Phase II contract. The focus is on the development of a 3D-printed, high-insulation retrofit system for exterior walls. This addresses pressing challenges at the Department of the Air Force, including building maintenance, environmental sustainability and physical building durability. The project aims to dramatically increase the energy efficiency of existing buildings and will be demonstrated at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2024.

The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to facilitate the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process. This is done through expedited processing of applications, expanding opportunities for small businesses, and ongoing process improvement. DAF launched the 2018 Open Topic SBIR/STTR program, which expanded the scope of funded innovations.

David Goodloe, Program Development Manager for Branch, said, “The Air Force has been an incredible innovation partner. Their commitment to sponsoring and transitioning game-changing technologies is unparalleled in my experience working with the government. We are excited to develop a new capability that will improve the performance of the Air Force’s built environment, reduce its operational carbon footprint, and test capabilities for integrated force protection. Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of all global carbon emissions. Retrofitting existing buildings is the only viable answer to addressing this challenge, as new construction projects are often even more expensive, carbon-costly, and wasteful. This project will enable us to develop and demonstrate a fully scalable and customizable 3D printed retrofit panel system that can be tailored to an existing building’s geometry to drastically enhance its energy efficiency. We will demonstrate this innovation on a building at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2024 and plan to apply it to other buildings for the military and beyond.”