While it is often overlooked, insulation of homes can be one of the most important aspects for maintaining energy efficiency.
Most insulation of homes is made from different materials, including glass fiber, cellulose and foams. These materials can be effective in the insulation of a house and can be problematic for harmful substances due to their manufacturing processes and the potential.
In a recent study, however, a team of researchers may have found an alternative material that combines highly efficient insulation functions with environmentally friendly practices. Wheat straw is the stem of the wheat plant, which remains after the grain harvest. It is a sustainable agricultural by -product with various uses, including animal feed and fuel.
Chi Zhou, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at the Ministry of Industry and System Technology at the University of Buffalo, a team of researchers led to testing the use of wheat straw fibers in the production of house insulation.
The team was able to transform chopped straw fibers into a paste-like “ink”, which could be 3D printing using a method called Direct-ink input. After testing how well the material could handle the air flow, the researchers printed it out in insulation structures. The end result showed that straw insulation showed low heat transfer and strong mechanical properties.
Zhou noticed the importance of the research of the team and the potential for wheat straw fibers in the insulation of homemade. “Its unique properties such as low thermal conductivity and low density make them valuable for a variety of applications, especially for the structure of insulation,” said Zhou.
The insulation of homes can have significant environmental advantages by reducing energy consumption, reducing carbon pollution and promoting sustainable materials such as wheat straw. By minimizing the heat loss in winter and summer in summer in summer, insulation reduces the need for heating and cooling. This can make a major contribution to reducing our trust in fossil fuels for energy generation.
“If wheat straw were widespread, it would not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also reduce agricultural waste and provide an environmentally friendly and affordable source of isolation for houses and trading buildings,” added Zhou.
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The research team makes a breakthrough with a new 3D printing material: 'Unique Properties' appeared for the first time on the cooling.