Keylab Glass Technology
Glass is a fascinating material with unique properties and diverse applications. Although
its properties have long been known and utilized, its potential is far from exhausted. The
Keylab Glass Technology (KGT) works with partners from industry and science to create
innovative solutions to improve products and/or manufacturing processes.
The Keylab Glass Technology at a glance
The Keylab Glass Technology covers numerous areas:
Glass Development
The development of new glasses is carried out experimentally and computer-aided. First, glass properties are predicted on the computer and then tested in the laboratory. If necessary, the glass composition is further optimized. This results in tailor-made glasses for specific applications – tailored to the respective application.
Glass Processing
Although many glass manufacturing processes are long-established, new products often require innovative solutions. The Keylab Glass Technology develops and tests ideas for novel concepts and processes to meet the requirements of modern applications.
Process Simulation
Simulations are crucial for shortening development times and minimizing complex test series. Using mathematical models, we analyze physical processes in glass and derive process optimizations.
Analytics
The unique properties of glass require specialized analytical expertise. We use a variety of analytical methods to precisely understand and characterize the properties of each glass.
Recycling
Glass is an outstanding material in terms of recyclability. We are developing new processes to further close the glass material cycle, conserve primary raw materials, and prevent the accumulation of undesirable components.
Post-fossil melting technology
One path to decarbonizing glass production is through all-electric glass melting furnaces. Keylab Glass Technology has more than 15 years of experience with allelectric (small) melting furnaces and oKers consulting on design and materials.
The Keylab Glass Technology covers numerous areas:
Glass Development
The development of new glasses is carried out experimentally and computer-aided. First, glass properties are predicted on the computer and then tested in the laboratory. If necessary, the glass composition is further optimized. This results in tailor-made glasses for specific applications – tailored to the respective application.
Glass Processing
Although many glass manufacturing processes are long-established, new products often require innovative solutions. The Keylab Glass Technology develops and tests ideas for novel concepts and processes to meet the requirements of modern applications.
Process Simulation
Simulations are crucial for shortening development times and minimizing complex test series. Using mathematical models, we analyze physical processes in glass and derive process optimizations.
Analytics
The unique properties of glass require specialized analytical expertise. We use a variety of analytical methods to precisely understand and characterize the properties of each glass.
Recycling
Glass is an outstanding material in terms of recyclability. We are developing new processes to further close the glass material cycle, conserve primary raw materials, and prevent the accumulation of undesirable components.
Post-fossil melting technology
One path to decarbonizing glass production is through all-electric glass melting furnaces. Keylab Glass Technology has more than 15 years of experience with allelectric (small) melting furnaces and oKers consulting on design and materials.
We are a contact point for innovative products and processes related to glass.
The list of innovative glass products is constantly expanding. Production and processing methods determine quality and price, and thus market success. Interdisciplinary and goal-oriented research is a prerequisite for innovative developments. The complexity of many tasks requires a close network of expertise. Market-eKective technical progress is particularly achieved when basic research and application-oriented development are combined.
The Keylab Glass Technology is characterized by professional competence and creativity. With a mutually influential diversity in research, we combine expertise in physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering, bridging the gap between fundamentals and application. Our expertise includes the development of innovative glass products, the processing and finishing of glass, and the simulation and design of processes for its processing. Together with university and industrial partners, we bringnew technical solutions from the laboratory into application.
We are a contact point for innovative products and processes related to glass.
The list of innovative glass products is constantly expanding. Production and processing methods determine quality and price, and thus market success. Interdisciplinary and goal-oriented research is a prerequisite for innovative developments. The complexity of many tasks requires a close network of expertise. Market-eKective technical progress is particularly achieved when basic research and application-oriented development are combined.
The Keylab Glass Technology is characterized by professional competence and creativity. With a mutually influential diversity in research, we combine expertise in physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering, bridging the gap between fundamentals and application. Our expertise includes the development of innovative glass products, the processing and finishing of glass, and the simulation and design of processes for its processing. Together with university and industrial partners, we bringnew technical solutions from the laboratory into application.
At Keylab Glass Technology, our equipment oKers you numerous options:
Melting & Heat Treatment
Glass is melted at high temperatures. Therefore, our laboratories include hightemperature furnaces for melting, as well as other furnaces that enable various heat treatments, such as tempering.
Coating & Modification
We apply thin layers to glass using methods such as spraying, doctor blade coating, or 3D printing. We achieve surface modifications using ion exchange, plasma, laser, or superheated steam. Every task is unique, so we tailor our laboratory equipment to achieve optimal results.
Automation
To facilitate the transition from laboratory to pilot scale and beyond, some processes are already automated in the laboratory. For example, a robot immerses glass bottles in a salt bath for ion exchange, and our hollow glass microsphere-based insulation layers are applied using a semiautomated spraying device to test new application variants.
Analysis & Characterization
Everything we produce is comprehensively caracterized. We and the university have access to a wide range of analytical methods for this purpose. For example, we use our universal testing machine to test the strength of glass. Determining contact angles helps us understand why some glasses are more water-wettable than others, and transmittance measurements show how much light penetrates a glass.
At Keylab Glass Technology, our equipment oKers you numerous options:
Melting & Heat Treatment
Glass is melted at high temperatures. Therefore, our laboratories include hightemperature furnaces for melting, as well as other furnaces that enable various heat treatments, such as tempering.
Coating & Modification
We apply thin layers to glass using methods such as spraying, doctor blade coating, or 3D printing. We achieve surface modifications using ion exchange, plasma, laser, or superheated steam. Every task is unique, so we tailor our laboratory equipment to achieve optimal results.
Automation
To facilitate the transition from laboratory to pilot scale and beyond, some processes are already automated in the laboratory. For example, a robot immerses glass bottles in a salt bath for ion exchange, and our hollow glass microsphere-based insulation layers are applied using a semiautomated spraying device to test new application variants.
Analysis & Characterization
Everything we produce is comprehensively caracterized. We and the university have access to a wide range of analytical methods for this purpose. For example, we use our universal testing machine to test the strength of glass. Determining contact angles helps us understand why some glasses are more water-wettable than others, and transmittance measurements show how much light penetrates a glass.
The Keylab Glass Technology covers numerous areas:
Glass Development
The development of new glasses is carried out experimentally and computer-aided. First, glass properties are predicted on the computer and then tested in the laboratory. If necessary, the glass composition is further optimized. This results in tailor-made glasses for specific applications – tailored to the respective application.
Glass Processing
Although many glass manufacturing processes are long-established, new products often require innovative solutions. The Keylab Glass Technology develops and tests ideas for novel concepts and processes to meet the requirements of modern applications.
Process Simulation
Simulations are crucial for shortening development times and minimizing complex test series. Using mathematical models, we analyze physical processes in glass and derive process optimizations.
Analytics
The unique properties of glass require specialized analytical expertise. We use a variety of analytical methods to precisely understand and characterize the properties of each glass.
Recycling
Glass is an outstanding material in terms of recyclability. We are developing new processes to further close the glass material cycle, conserve primary raw materials, and prevent the accumulation of undesirable components.
Post-fossil melting technology
One path to decarbonizing glass production is through all-electric glass melting furnaces. Keylab Glass Technology has more than 15 years of experience with allelectric (small) melting furnaces and oKers consulting on design and materials.
We are a contact point for innovative products and processes related to glass.
The list of innovative glass products is constantly expanding. Production and processing methods determine quality and price, and thus market success. Interdisciplinary and goal-oriented research is a prerequisite for innovative developments. The complexity of many tasks requires a close network of expertise. Market-eKective technical progress is particularly achieved when basic research and application-oriented development are combined.
The Keylab Glass Technology is characterized by professional competence and creativity. With a mutually influential diversity in research, we combine expertise in physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering, bridging the gap between fundamentals and application. Our expertise includes the development of innovative glass products, the processing and finishing of glass, and the simulation and design of processes for its processing. Together with university and industrial partners, we bringnew technical solutions from the laboratory into application.
At Keylab Glass Technology, our equipment oKers you numerous options:
Melting & Heat Treatment
Glass is melted at high temperatures. Therefore, our laboratories include hightemperature furnaces for melting, as well as other furnaces that enable various heat treatments, such as tempering.
Coating & Modification
We apply thin layers to glass using methods such as spraying, doctor blade coating, or 3D printing. We achieve surface modifications using ion exchange, plasma, laser, or superheated steam. Every task is unique, so we tailor our laboratory equipment to achieve optimal results.
Automation
To facilitate the transition from laboratory to pilot scale and beyond, some processes are already automated in the laboratory. For example, a robot immerses glass bottles in a salt bath for ion exchange, and our hollow glass microsphere-based insulation layers are applied using a semiautomated spraying device to test new application variants.
Analysis & Characterization
Everything we produce is comprehensively caracterized. We and the university have access to a wide range of analytical methods for this purpose. For example, we use our universal testing machine to test the strength of glass. Determining contact angles helps us understand why some glasses are more water-wettable than others, and transmittance measurements show how much light penetrates a glass.
Let's work together
Glass-based insulating plaster
Together with Franken Maxit and 3M, Keylab Glass Technology has developed an innovative insulating plaster consisting of tiny hollow glass spheres and a special cement. The extremely lightweight glass spheres provide outstanding thermal insulation. Combined with cement and water, they create a sprayable mass that is applied directly to building facades as thermal insulation. This glass-cement insulation is non-flammable and highly recyclable, with an insulating eKect comparable to that of polymer foam boards.
The product has been on the market since 2019, but development continues. Together with our partners, we are researching the use of lower-CO2 binders, innovative application techniques, and material-friendly recycling processes to make the product even more environmentally friendly.
Shatter-resistant glass bottles
In collaboration with Füller Glass Technology and Soulbottles, Keylab Glass Technology has developed a more shatter-resistant drinking bottle. Inspired by display glasses, the bottles are immersed in a salt bath to exchange sodium ions in the glass for larger
potassium ions. This process occurs only on the surface and ensures that the exterior of the glass is "pre-tensioned" by the ions, like a violin bow. If the bottle falls, the tension absorbs the stress and prevents it from breaking.
As Soulbottles brings the new product to market, Keylab and Füller Glastechnologie are working on making the process even faster and more efficient.
We're driving the future forward – the Impact-Hub Glastechnologie
With the Impact-Hub Glastechnologie we have created a platform for the transfer of ideas, knowledge, and technology to reduce CO2 emissions in the production and use of glass products, which aims to increase the resilience of companies along the glass manufacturing process chain.
At the Impact-Hub Glastechnologie we work with regional partners to develop, implement, and evaluate new, sustainable ideas and technologies in the field of glass to accelerate their transfer to industrial applications.
The goal of the innovation lab is to co-creatively pass on innovation impulses to SMEs. The focus is on CO2-free, electrothermal processes, the closing of material cycles, and the optimization of glass products with regard to their performance characteristics and ecological footprint.
We are here for you
Location
Keylab Glastechnologie
Prof.-Rüdiger-Bormann-Str. 1
95447 Bayreuth
TAO, 1. OG
Further information on glass technologies
Contact
Dr. Andreas Rosin
Research assistant
Deputy Lab Manager
E-Mail: andreas.rosin@uni.bayreuth.de
Telefon: 0921 / 55 – 6519