How To Make Wood Fire Resistant?

Summary

This video explores groundbreaking fire-retardant materials that have the potential to revolutionize fire protection. It highlights the mysterious story of Starlight, a fireproof coating created by Maurice Ward in the early 90s, which amazed the world with its ability to withstand blowtorches. However, the formula was never patented and died with Ward in 2011. The video also discusses a new transparent fireproof coating developed by Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, which protects wood from fires without compromising its appearance. As scientists continue to develop new fire-resistant materials, the quest to replicate or improve upon Starlight continues.

Takeaways

• 😀 The possibility of materials that prevent fires from spreading is a fascinating concept.
• 😀 There are two groundbreaking fire retardant materials discussed in the video.
• 😀 One of these materials, Starlight, gained attention in the 90s due to its remarkable fire-resistant properties demonstrated on a BBC show.
• 😀 Starlight's ability to protect an egg from a blowtorch without cooking it amazed many viewers and promised to revolutionize material science.
• 😀 Starlight was never patented, and its creator, Maurice Ward, did not share the formula with organizations like NASA or the Ministry of Defense.
• 😀 Maurice Ward passed away in 2011, taking the formula of Starlight with him, though a company supposedly acquired it, but has remained silent since 2013.
• 😀 A new, similar fire retardant material has been developed by researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore.
• 😀 This new coating for wood remains transparent, allowing the wood to stay exposed while providing flame protection when activated by heat.
• 😀 The NTU coating works by undergoing chemical reactions when heated, expanding into a char that prevents fire from reaching the wood underneath.
• 😀 The NTU team is in discussions to license the new fireproofing technology to companies, which could make it commercially available soon.
• 😀 Although no one has yet replicated Starlight's exact formula, ongoing research and new developments show promise in fire retardant technologies.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The video script focuses on two groundbreaking fire-retardant materials, one of which is a mysterious coating called Starlight and the other a newly developed transparent fireproof coating for timber.

What was the unique feature of the egg experiment shown on 'Tomorrow's World'?

The experiment showed one egg coated with a magical material that protected it from a blowtorch, allowing it to remain uncooked, while the uncoated egg cracked open immediately. This demonstration highlighted the potential of a fireproof material.

Who created the material known as Starlight, and what was its significance?

Starlight was created by Maurice Ward, and it was significant because it was a highly effective fire-retardant coating that could withstand extreme heat. It was so revolutionary that it caught the attention of organizations like NASA and the Ministry of Defense.

Why did Starlight never become widely available despite its impressive capabilities?

Starlight never became widely available because Maurice Ward never patented the formula, fearing it would expose the ingredients. He also did not come to agreements with government organizations like NASA or the Ministry of Defense, and he passed away in 2011 without revealing the full formula.

What happened to Starlight's formula after Maurice Ward's death?

After Maurice Ward's death in 2011, it was reported that a company acquired the formula, but they have remained silent about its existence or use, leaving the fate of the formula uncertain.

What is the new transparent fireproof coating developed by NTU researchers?

The new transparent fireproof coating developed by researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore is designed for mass-engineered timber. It provides a flame barrier that activates when exposed to fire, allowing the timber to remain exposed while offering fire protection.

How does the NTU transparent fireproof coating work?

The NTU transparent fireproof coating is 0.075 millimeters thick. When heated, it undergoes complex chemical reactions that cause it to expand into a char, growing over 30 times its original thickness, which effectively prevents the fire from reaching the wood underneath.

What is the significance of the NTU fireproof coating for the construction industry?

The NTU fireproof coating is significant because it allows for the use of exposed timber in buildings, which is a cost-effective and quicker construction method. It eliminates the need for traditional fire retardant panels or coatings while providing a fire barrier.

What is the current status of the NTU fireproof coating?

The NTU team is currently in licensing talks with various companies to make the fireproof coating commercially available. This could lead to widespread use in the construction industry in the future.

How does the development of fire-retardant coatings impact the field of materials science?

The development of fire-retardant coatings like Starlight and the NTU transparent coating showcases the complexity and potential of materials science, revealing how new innovations can transform industries and provide solutions to problems like fire safety. The field remains filled with ongoing research and hidden advancements.