A Novel Bonding Method for a Plant-Based, Load-Bearing Insulation for Carbon-Storing Buildings

Buildings in operations and materials account for one-third of global climate emissions but could be transformed into a net carbon sink through use of highly-insulating plant-based building assemblies. Global small and coarse grain crops annually produce four times the biomass needed for all aboveground portions of building construction worldwide even as floor area is projected to double by 2060. This Phase I project will research a novel bonding method to manufacture a plant- based structural insulation capable of supporting two- to five-story buildings. The project aims to develop a bonding method that is cost-effective structurally durable environmentally sound from cradle to cradle and conducive to a low-capital manufacturing process. The research effort will test the new biocomposite bonding method; correlate compression strength with specimen slenderness; test a range of environmentally benign binders; prototype a full-scale block; measure key material properties including thermal resistance fungi resistance and non-combustibility; and model hygrothermal performance. The anticipated result is a biobased structural insulating composite material that is fire-resistant and carbon-storing that will simplify construction of ultra-low energy buildings by integrating multiple functions—structure sheathing insulation and backing for air- and water-control layers— into hand-liftable components. Resulting super-insulated wall assemblies are anticipated to be cost competitive with conventional construction at scale. If successful the biocomposite will dramatically improve the energy efficiency of buildings create new income streams for farmers that can support the transition of millions of commodity crop acers to climate-smart agronomic practices and create entrepreneurship opportunities in agriculturally-related manufacturing through low microfactory startup costs.