2025-06-18 バッファロー大学（UB）
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2025/06/wheat-straw-insulation.html
- https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/manufacturingscience/article-abstract/147/5/051003/1210379/Additive-Manufacturing-of-Wheat-Straw-Fibers-for?redirectedFrom=fulltext
持続可能な断熱用途のための麦わら繊維の積層造形 Additive Manufacturing of Wheat Straw Fibers for Sustainable Thermal Insulation Application
Zipeng Guo,Licheng Liang,Jason Armstrong,Shenqiang Ren,Chi Zhou
Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering Published:January 17, 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4067391
Abstract
Thermal insulation materials reduce heat transfer and are typically made from materials like fiberglass, foam, or mineral wool, which are engineered to trap air and hinder heat conduction and convection. The traditional manufacturing processes of thermal insulation materials are often energy-intensive and result in significant greenhouse gas emissions. In the current global drive for sustainability, these energy-intensive manufacturing processes raise environmental concerns and need to be addressed. In this work, with the objective of addressing both material sustainability and manufacturing sustainability, we present an additive manufacturing strategy to fabricate biomass materials for thermal insulation applications. We propose utilizing wheat straw as a biomass feedstock for manufacturing sustainable thermal insulation. This approach captures carbon during growth and stores it within the insulation structure. In the presented work, we first demonstrate the formulation of a 3D-printable ink using chopped straw fibers. We conduct comprehensive rheological characterizations to reveal the shear-thinning properties and the printability of the straw fiber ink. Utilizing the direct ink writing (DIW) process, the straw fiber material is deposited into 3D structures. Through material characterization tests, which include microstructure, mechanical, and thermal analyses, we demonstrate the low thermal conductivity and robust mechanical properties. This paper marks the first work of 3D printing of wheat straw fibers for thermal insulation structures. The discoveries in this pilot work demonstrate the potential to leverage additive manufacturing technologies and sustainable biomass materials to create both functional and value-added wheat straw parts tailored for thermal insulation applications.
