Texas A&M researchers create new fire retardant coating

The science of stopping fires could be taking a step forward with help from researchers at Texas A&M University. Dr. Jamie Grunlan is a mechanical engineering professor who leads the lab that developed a new fire-retardant coating. He talked to Good Day about the ultimate goal — fire proof wood.

Simple process significantly improves viability of antibacterial films

Thin-film coatings on materials that act as repellents against bacteria are nothing new. Indeed, with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, other strategies to mitigate the spread of such pathogens have long been the focus of researchers. Such thin films are usually polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), which are traditionally deposited onto a desired surface layer-by-layer, allowing for […]

Texas A&M professor developing uniform of the future for U.S. military

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — A Texas A&M doctor is working to develop new non-toxic protective nanocoatings to the clothes worn by our military servicemen and women while serving around the world. Dr. Jaime Grunlan is applying water-based nanocoatings to military clothing with the hopes of adding protecting properties to military clothes. The nanocoating, which includes […]

PNC Graduate Students Awarded Two National Fellowships in 2021

Thomas Kolibaba (’20) was awarded the NIST National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship, funding his postdoctoral research at NIST in Boulder, Colorado following graduation.  Natalie Vest (’24) was awarded the Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship, an award that offers full research and education funding, as well as internship opportunities […]

Phasing out fire retardants

Efforts have been made to introduce environmental friendly flame retardants on commercial products. Examples include nanocoatings for polyurethane foams and for fabrics being researched by Jaime Grunlan, of the Polymer Nanocomposites Lab at Texas A&M University in the US. Grunlan has demonstrated it is possible to protect cotton with alternating nanolayers of chitosan and phytic acid. […]

Coatings Fight Furniture Fires

PNC Lab developed nano coatings consists polyvinylsulfonic acid (PVS) and chitosan can prevent the spread of flames on foams used in home furnishings. Moreover the 30-nm-thick film increases the weight of the foam by just 5.5% and doesn’t alter the foam’s stiffness.

Flame quencher offers less toxic approach to fighting fire

A new fire-retardant coating suppresses flames without the toxic effects of some commercially used flame retardants. Torch a piece of furniture foam that’s been dipped in the coating and the flame smolders and snuffs out, new experiments show.The new coating creates a blanket of heavy gas that starves the fire of oxygen.

Better Food Packaging

Promising alternative packaging engineered by materials scientists in the Polymer NanoComposites Lab suggests “nano-bricks” offer the solution of longer shelf life and superior food preservation.