NASA's Layered Composite Insulation (LCI) technology is an easy-to-use system that can benefit multiple industries that depend on regulation of low temperatures in equipment and products. The technology combines a unique layered cryogenic insulation system with specific manufacturing, packaging, wrapping, and rolling methods.
One of the unique features of the LCI is its superior thermal performance. Approximate R-values per inch for cryogenic conditions are R-1600 for high vacuum, R-90 for soft vacuum (about 1 torr), and R-10 for no vacuum. The LCI system surpasses the current limitations of MLI systems in sensitivity to mechanical compression, daily operational maintenance, and performance in soft vacuum or degraded vacuum environments.
The synergistic effect of improvements in materials, design, and manufacture of this new insulation technology exceeds the performance of current multilayered insulation (MLI) or foam insulation products. This new piping insulation can provide cost-saving and product loss-prevention benefits to companies that transfer fluids such as liquefied natural gas, refrigerants, chilled water, crude oil, or low-pressure steam as well as to transport companies that move refrigerated containers by land and sea and need to protect food, medicine, and other perishable commodities.
The new LCI insulation can be continuously rolled or can be manufactured in blanket, sheet, or sleeve form for numerous commercial insulation applications. It can also be utilized on aerospace cryogenic equipment, terrestrial cryogenic tanks, pipes, and valves.
NASA is actively seeking licensees to commercialize this technology. Please contact Kurt Kessel at