Efforts have been made to introduce environmental friendly flame retardants on commercial products. Examples include nanocoatings for polyurethane foams and for fabrics being researched by Jaime Grunlan, of the Polymer Nanocomposites Lab at Texas A&M University in the US. Grunlan has demonstrated it is possible to protect cotton with alternating nanolayers of chitosan and phytic acid. […]
PNC Lab developed nano coatings consists polyvinylsulfonic acid (PVS) and chitosan can prevent the spread of flames on foams used in home furnishings. Moreover the 30-nm-thick film increases the weight of the foam by just 5.5% and doesn’t alter the foam’s stiffness.
A new fire-retardant coating suppresses flames without the toxic effects of some commercially used flame retardants. Torch a piece of furniture foam that’s been dipped in the coating and the flame smolders and snuffs out, new experiments show.The new coating creates a blanket of heavy gas that starves the fire of oxygen.
New coating could protect furniture without causing health concerns
PNC Lab’s technology involves covering every microscopic fiber in a fabric with a thin composite coating of two polymers that exhibit an intumescent effect, producing a protective carbon foam coating when exposed to high temperatures.
Promising alternative packaging engineered by materials scientists in the Polymer NanoComposites Lab suggests “nano-bricks” offer the solution of longer shelf life and superior food preservation.
Article written by the New York Times about the exciting materials research happening at the PNC Lab, and Dr. Grunlan’s push for the values of academic research and higher education in Texas.
“While his research is making waves among scientists, Professor Grunlan has also made a mark outside of his research laboratory.”
