Natural-Fiber | Glass-Fiber Hybrid Bio-composite Building Materials

Innovator: Dr. R. Gopalan, Executive Director Composites Technology Park, Bangalore

Composite Technology Park’s (CTP) Natural-Fiber | Glass-Fiber Bio-Composite Building Materials

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Engineered mixture of:

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Glass-fiber and natural-fiber Typically bamboo, coir & jute fibers Desired ratio and orientation of fibers that exploits qualities of both fibers for cost & performance benefits.

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Mixture processed for manufacture of a variety of products including:

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Roofing panels Decks Bridges Interior and exterior building walls and floors Structurally insulated panels (SIPs) Emergency shelters Off-shore deck platforms.

Performance Characteristics

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UV, water, fungus, mold, corrosion, salt, alkaline, abrasion, heat, rot and wood infestation resistant.

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Can be engineered to be practically termite proof and waterproof.

Estimated R-value expected to be twice that of most woods.

Superior strength —Primary component bamboo:

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Has a tensile strength of 28,000 pounds/square inch — greater than steel

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Withstands up to 52,000 pounds of pressure per square inch —more than concrete.

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Lends itself to manufacture of structural insulated panels (SIPs) & foam sandwich panels.

Bamboo / Glass Fiber Bio-Composite Sandwich Wall Panels

Processed under controlled temperature & pressure in compression moulding press then cut to required size.

High:

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Strength –Weight Ratio

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Stiffness Workability 1.

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Standard size: 4ft X 8ft

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Thickness: 35 mm –100 mm

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Density: 160kg /m³–260kg/m³

Bamboo / Glass Fiber Bio-Composite Roofing Panels

Impregnated w/high performance polymeric resin & processed under high temperature & compression molding.     

Lightweight High Strength & Stiffness High Thermal & Electrical Insulation High impact resistant Polyurethane foam thermal insulated also available Standard size = 4ft X 8ft Thickness = 3.2 mm – 5.0 mm Density = 950kg/m³ – 1125kg/m³

Bamboo / Glass Fiber Bio-Composite Floor & Wall Panels

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Thickness: 9 mm – 18 mm Density: 800kg/m³ – 1000kg/m³ Anti-skid SMC layer Electrical insulation characteristics Application: Floor panel for chemical/corrosion environment

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Standard size = 4ft X 4ft Thickness = 12 mm – 20 mm Density = 800kg/m³ – 1000kg/m³ Corrosion and termite resistance Better heat resistance Color impregnation available

Characteristics of Major Component: Bamboo

  70% - 80% of bio-composite is typically bamboo.

Harvested in 3-5 years versus 10 – 50 years for most timber.

  Weight/acre per year up to 25 times higher than timber.

Each acre removes up to 4.8 tons of carbon dioxide/year and generates up to 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees.

 Harvesting is non-invasive to the environment--typically cut by hand and transported by light truck.

 Absorbs pollutants in damaged soil and mitigates water pollution due to its high nitrogen consumption especially from waste water.  Bamboo is not a volatile organic compound (VOC).

Bamboo-Fiber | Glass-Fiber Bio-Composite Examples by CTP Early CTP demo structure 3.5 yrs ago: Prefabricated military office / housing CTP materials: walls, floors & roof

Bamboo-Fiber | Glass-Fiber Bio-Composite Examples by CTP One of 25 Sakthi Hill Resort Guesthouses built 2.5 years ago outside Bangalore. Frequent compliments from guests and inquiries for purchase and manufacture of materials Prefabricated shelter, multipurpose:

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Disaster management.

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Emergency shelters.

Bamboo-Fiber | Glass-Fiber Bio-Composite Examples by CTP Modular toilet and shower unit 3.5 years of testing to date Pyramid on CTP Campus Outdoor Restroom

Technology Assessment

 Professor Billie Faircloth, School of Architecture, University of Texas at Austin:

“You can create these technologies on a scientists’ desk, but can you ramp up towards production? Dr. Gopalan’s research has found a way to create a process for manufacturing which is always the technology transfer issue. It’s often a very slow process. That’s what’s unique about Dr. Gopalan’s company: he is very, very close in being able to hand off his technology to a company to actually put into production.”

 Not simply a research lab, The Composite Technology Park directed by Dr. Gopalan is able to manufacture 300,000 square meters/year of bio composite panels.

 Winner, Lockheed Martin | IC2 Gold Award for Outstanding New Innovation, July 18, 2007.

Development & IP Status

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Products are tested, evaluated, & certified by national laboratory.

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Roofing panel being certified by ASTM International Laboratory.

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Prototype products being demonstrated at over 100 locations.

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Technology is patented in India.

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Patent will be filed in US in about 2 months

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Renowned Indian composites experts with 30+ years experience in our Board

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Highly qualified technicians and experienced engineers, scientists and

Commercialization Information

Opportunities:

• Direct ordering of materials.

• Exclusive distribution agreements.

• Manufacturing license.

• www.compositestechnologypark.com

Contact:

Jim Vance Global Commercialization Programs The IC2 Institute The University of Texas at Austin [email protected]

http://www.ic2.utexas.edu/global/ Office: 512-232-3590 Mobile: 512-970-8442

www.compositestechnologypark.com