"Green" Glass Research Gets Federal Funds

Pittsburgh based PPG Industries will be getting $1.2 million from the federal government to do research into environmentally friendly glass coatings. The grants will help fund research into “Integrated Solar Energy Windows” and “Infrared Switchable Architecture Coatings.” The first project involves the development of a window coating that will allow light to pass through but will still serve as a solar cell to produce power. The infrared project will investigate a material that will either reflect infrared energy or absorb heat depending on the environmental conditions. The material would change its characteristics with the flip of a switch. The funds were included in the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which was passed by congress last month. The funds will be allocated by the end of September. 80% of PPG's world-wide research is done in the Pittsburgh Area.