RE: Solar protection technologies
The first glass is dated back to 3500 BC. It is supposed to be manufactured in either Syria, Egypt or Mesopotamia. Since that, it spread around the Globe and now it is used everywhere form a small hermit in to a skyscraper on Manhattan.
It has been investigated for years and researchers have developed different types (for example, temper glass and antireflection glass). The glass engineers have improved the technologies and made them more efficient. Nowadays the glass frontiers lays in the field of modification: optimization of heat and light transmittance [1-3].
One of the most interesting novelties is a smart solar protection technology presented by iGlass Technology [1]. Their product, a thin invisible film, enables to change a tint of glass within seconds. Their US patent application [4] reveals the electrochemical nature of the phenomena. The inventors used viologen, which is well known for its electrochromic properties. [5]
Another trend is to form secure atmosphere within a room, to protect people from overheat and freeze. Here films like the ones used in SunGuard ® technologies [2] prevent heat transmittance.
All this technologies are linked to the application of films, this is reasonable as such technologies are applicable not only for a new glass objects but also for modification of an existing ones without need to demount them.
Our company is focused on providing the innovative products and services, so it was decided to open a new direction, glass technologies. The main focus was described as innovative glass modificators. The XYZ Department has been founded two month ago as a frontier engineering group for glass solar protection technologies. The group was formed internally and started a week ago. I have been assigned as a Senior Engineer.
We are fresh so it is too early to present a full working plan; however, we have tried to summarize the key points to present you the draft. The final plan is expected to be form within next 4 weeks and to be reported to you.
For now, we have developed a general concept: to use the chemical agents of the same nature as our competitor and combine it with superior engineering techniques (distant or programmable management, artificial intellect and so on). It is also possible to try the modification of existing novelties without changing its chemical background, to enable their lawful production. However, it is left only as a back option.
The draft plan is as follows:
First month is to be spent on literature research to determine all possibilities to replicate the existing products and to develop analogues with similar properties and efficiency.
A plan for replication should be ready and approved within a week. The chemical synthetic part will be done by XXX, he is responsible for ordering chemicals and equipment needed. We will also consider the possibility to give the replication for outsourcing and to focus on the modification.
The replication should be fulfilled within 8 weeks.
The modification should be fulfilled within 13 month. The intermediate report and discussion meetings will take place ever 3 month. After 6 month, the decision about the pursuit of modification of existing novelties without changing its chemical background is to be made. If needed this sub-project will be proceeded simultaneously with the main one.
The prototype is expected to be presented by the end of 18th month.
The small batches for sale can be manufactured from there on.
6 Months are given for the final ordering of equipment for manufacturing.
As this interest to solar protection for glass is high it is highly profitable field, but we cannot expect any profit earlier than in 19 month, as launch of a product before the prototype approval is too risky and can damage the whole project.
The main losses will be associated during the first phase with expanses on chemical and with the expanses on machinery for the second.
Still it is expected that the project will pay for itself within a year after the launch of production lines and to give 3 $ for 1 $ spent in future.
The main risks/problems, which can affect the profit to losses ratio is the late delivery of results. Now your department consists of three people, it is enough for the beginning, as the all of the employees are experienced specialist. Of course, all of us have strengths and weaknesses, but I am ready to inspire and help to organize and check the process. The employees may be not ideal for such tough project, considering their previous record, but it is an opportunity they do not want to miss and, considering this as a great motivator, I assume that with my help they are able to overcome their weaknesses. We are given not just a chance to work with the exciting, innovative things and to create something new, but also the start for growth. .
As the team is limited, we have discussed the possibility for shared support, what means that everyone will be learning the most crucial basics from the other to be able to help them, if needed. This means only basics, thus no shirk in obligation can be expected.
References
http://iglass-technology.com/, accessed by Your Name, 03 March 2016, last known update: 2016
https://www.guardian.com/residential/WindowSolutions/index.htm, accessed by Your Name, 03 March 2016, last known update: 2016
http://www.agtwindowfilm.com/, accessed by Your Name, 03 March 2016, last known update: 2016
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2015/0355519.html, accessed by Your Name, 03 March 2016, last known update: 10 Decmeber 2015
Sung Hoon Kim, Jin Seok Bae, Seok Hwan Hwang, Tae Sun Gwon, Myung Ki Doh, Dimer formation of viologen derivatives and their electrochromic properties, Dyes and Pigments, Volume 33, Issue 2, February 1997, Pages 167-172.
