Chile. Student Oscar Fuentes, from the School of Construction Engineering, created a fire-resistant paint using olive waste.
The project was developed as a degree thesis and was advised by the professor of chemistry, Diógenes Hernández. Research indicates that this paint resists 70% more the advance of flames in wood, compared to water paints.
Hernández highlighted the benefits and characteristics of product research: "The first is the use of waste that is normally discarded by companies. On the other hand, there is the issue of the direct benefit of having a paint that slows the expansion of fire," says Professor Hernández. Meanwhile, Fuentes highlights that from its development a window of possibilities opens in the field of construction.
The product was manufactured from ash obtained from olive residues, a substance that has a high level of fire resistance. It also includes other ingredients: lime, gypsum and pigments.
For his part, Fuente highlighted the fact that painting contributes to the protection of the environment: "One as an engineer looks for new techniques to make constructions more friendly and help the environment. So I think this is a contribution in that line, which also develops strongly in my career," he concluded.
With information from: Dicyt.
