Researchers at Stanford University have developed a type of adhesive that provides incredible fire resistance for structures.
Climate change is causing weather patterns to become hotter and drier. These conditions are ideal for wildfires, which can spread more widely and occur more frequently.
Wildfires have devastated communities, destroying homes and infrastructure, crippling livelihoods, and claiming millions of lives (Illustrative image).
According to the International Science Council (ISC), in recent years, wildfires have ravaged communities, demolishing homes and infrastructure, disrupting livelihoods, and taking millions of lives.
To combat this growing threat, we need innovative solutions for wildfire prevention and protection of vulnerable areas from long-lasting impacts.
Recently, researchers at Stanford University have created a liquid-enhancing gel that can be sprayed on homes and critical infrastructure. This technology helps to minimize damage, even preventing complete combustion during wildfires.
“With this new gel technology, you can spray it before a fire breaks out and still maintain a protective layer. It will even work better once the fire ignites,” said Eric Appel, a materials scientist and the lead author of the study.
Further elaborating on the project, Eric Appel noted that the enhanced gel is made from super-absorbent polymers, similar to the absorbent powders found in disposable diapers.
The new gel provides remarkable fire resistance for structures (Photo: SD).
By mixing it with water and spraying it onto buildings, the gel expands into a gelatinous substance that adheres to the exterior of the structure, forming a thick barrier while storing water within.
However, if used alone, the new gel would not be effective in areas close to wildfires, as the water trapped in the gel could evaporate at temperatures nearing 100 degrees Celsius in extremely hot and dry conditions.
To enhance the gel’s effectiveness, researchers incorporated silica particles into the gel structure. These particles remain when the gel is exposed to heat, transforming into a foam layer that provides better protection against fires.
“As the water evaporates and all the cellulose (the fibrous component of plant cell structure) burns away, we are left with silica particles that aggregate into a foam layer,” Eric Appel explained. “This foam has high insulation properties and will dissipate all the heat, providing complete protection for the underlying substrate.”
The researchers tested the new gel by placing a piece of plywood directly in contact with flames from a handheld torch. It is known that this torch burns at significantly higher temperatures than those of a wildfire.
The results showed that the new gel enabled the plywood to withstand flames for 7 minutes at high temperatures. This is an incredible advancement, as most fire-resistant gels on the market only allow wood to “survive” for 90 seconds.
