Confirmation of Candidature - Engineering Thermoelectric Fire-Retardant Coatings

Fire hazards pose a significant threat to wooden structures, which are inherently vulnerable due to the flammable nature of wood. The construction industry, increasingly favouring wood for its sustainability and lower carbon footprint compared to traditional materials like steel and concrete, faces the critical challenge of enhancing fire resistance in wood-based buildings. Various methods have been explored to improve the fire retardancy of wood, including lignin removal followed by densification, impregnation with flame retardants, and the application of fire-retardant coatings.

Lignin removal reduces the rigidity of wood, making it less likely to crack under stress and more resistant to fire. This method, combined with densification, strengthens the wood and enhances its fire resistance. Impregnation with flame retardants allows these substances to penetrate deeply into the wood's structure, providing comprehensive protection. However, this process can be time-consuming and costly. Flame retardant coatings, particularly those synthesized through advanced chemical processes like epoxidation, offer a promising solution. These coatings can be applied to the wood surface, providing a robust, durable layer of fire protection with minimal material usage. Furthermore, they can be modified to retain or even enhance the wood's other properties, such as moisture resistance and electrical conductivity.

Given these advantages, my research focuses on developing and optimizing thermoelectric flame retardant coatings for wood. These coatings not only improve flame retardancy but also harness the potential of thermoelectric materials to generate electricity from heat, offering a multifunctional solution for modern construction needs. This approach aims to create a safer, more sustainable building material that addresses both fire safety and energy efficiency, contributing to the development of innovative, resilient structures in fire-prone areas.

For more information, please email the Graduate Research School or phone 0746 311088.