TAGS: Sustainability / Natural Coatings
Two recent University of Waterloo engineering graduates has developed a new safe, non-toxic flame retardant coating made from seaweeds.
Anneke van Heuven and Elias Trouyet were just starting the nanotechnology engineering program when they learned that the chemicals in most existing flame retardant materials can cause long-term health effects including cancer.
Extensive research on the health and environmental impacts of chemicals used to prevent consumer and industrial products from burning led them to seaweed, which has natural flame-retardant qualities.
Combining Seaweed Biopolymer with Nanoparticles
They combined a biopolymer made from seaweed with embedded nanoparticles to develop two non-toxic, environmentally friendly coating formulations that easily exceed industry requirements.
With a basic prototype and testing to prove it works, van Heuven, the chief executive officer, and Trouyet, the chief technology officer of their startup company, AlgoBio, are now consulting potential customers and considering modifications to make an additive, in addition to a coating, for the plastic and rubber industries.
"
I always liked the idea of starting my own company because I enjoyed creative and innovative projects," said van Heuven. "
Part of the reason I chose nanotechnology engineering was because of the entrepreneurship opportunity, but I wanted to be realistic and I only chose to pursue this path once I knew that our technology worked and there was a market opportunity."
The two Waterloo Engineering graduates were named national finalists in the 2021 James Dyson Award design competition for their non-toxic, flame-retardant coating.
They developed the safe, non-toxic alternative with classmates Tessah Costello and Abby Bull.
Source: University of Waterloo