In the heart of Brazil, researchers are cooking up a storm in the world of sustainable construction materials. Emmanuel Sousa Lodron, a scientist at the Centre for Innovation and Technology in Composite Materials at the Federal University of São João del-Rei, is leading a charge to revolutionize sandwich panels, a staple in modern construction and energy infrastructure. His latest study, published in the journal ‘Academia Materials Science’ (translated from Portuguese as ‘Academic Materials Science’), offers a tantalizing glimpse into a future where sustainability and performance go hand in hand.
Sandwich panels, with their lightweight and high-strength properties, are ubiquitous in industries ranging from construction to renewable energy. However, their environmental impact has long been a thorn in the side of sustainability advocates. Lodron’s research, published in ‘Academia Materials Science’, aims to change that by harnessing the power of castor oil-based polymers.
The study focuses on sandwich panels composed of glass fibre composite skins and a bio-based castor oil foam core. But here’s where it gets interesting: Lodron and his team didn’t just stop at the core. They also explored the use of castor oil polyurethane as the adhesive between the skin and core, creating a panel that’s almost entirely bio-based.
The results are promising. Panels constructed entirely from epoxy polymer achieved a flexural modulus of 1.61 GPa, a measure of the material’s stiffness. But the bio-based panels aren’t far behind, with a flexural modulus of 1.32 GPa. An intermediate panel, combining epoxy composite skins with castor oil adhesive, reached a flexural modulus of 1.41 GPa. “The performance of these bio-based panels is impressive,” Lodron notes, “and they offer a significant step towards more sustainable construction practices.”
But the benefits don’t stop at sustainability. These panels also exhibit strong adhesion between the skin and core, with no skin delamination or fracture observed. This means they could potentially offer a longer lifespan and reduced maintenance costs, a significant advantage in industries like renewable energy, where structures are often in remote or hard-to-reach locations.
The energy sector, in particular, stands to gain from this research. Wind turbines, solar panel structures, and even offshore platforms could all benefit from lighter, stronger, and more sustainable materials. As the world grapples with climate change, the demand for renewable energy is set to soar. Materials like these could help meet that demand while also reducing the environmental impact of energy infrastructure.
So, what does the future hold? Lodron is optimistic. “This research opens up new possibilities for sustainable sandwich structures,” he says. “We’re not just looking at a viable alternative to traditional epoxy-based panels; we’re looking at a future where sustainability and performance go hand in hand.”
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and sustainability, research like Lodron’s offers a beacon of hope. It’s a reminder that innovation doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment. In fact, it can be a powerful tool for protecting it. And as the energy sector continues to evolve, materials like these could play a crucial role in shaping its future.
